Hosta “Uncle Albert” review and information

Hosta "Uncle Albert" review

This plant is the result of a cross between hypoleuca and kikutii 'Caput Avis' and anyone familiar with these two will recognize the family resemblence. It forms a large, low growing mound, our four year old stock plant, growing in a 25 gallon container, is 48" wide and 18" tall. The leaves are eliptical, 15" long and 12" wide, glossy medium green, with prominent veins and white beneath. The most unusual feature of the plant is its flower scape and bud. The scape is very dark purple, spotted almost to the bud. The unopened bud is the largest I have ever seen on a hosta, with a large vestigal leaf, up to 6" across and 12" long, at the base of each bud. Some scapes are held upright, arching at the top, while others lean and emerge lower in the foliage. The flowers are lavender, and when they first open, before the bud elongates, the flower head is almost as large as that of a hydrangea. Well this is Chick's very unusual 'Uncle Albert'. It's his favorite breeding plant, and "It is the result of a cross between hypoleuca and kikutii 'Caput Avis' and anyone familiar with these two will recognize the family resemblence. It forms a large, low growing mound, our four year old stock plant, growing in a 25 gallon container, is 48" wide and 18" tall. The leaves are eliptical, 15" long and 12" wide, glossy medium green, with prominent veins and white beneath. The most unusual feature of the plant is its flower scape and bud. The unopened bud is the largest I have ever seen on a hosta, with a large vestigal leaf, up to 6" across and 12" long, at the base of each bud...before the bud elongates, the flower head is almost as large as that of a hydrangea." First offered in 1988.