H. ‘Uncle John’
Hosta ‘Uncle John’ is a registered cultivar () .
| Year registered | 2000 |
|---|---|
| Section class | IV-2 (Small) |
Overview
Registered in 2000, this small-sized cultivar resulted from a cross between *Hosta* 'Blue Splendor' and *Hosta* 'Halcyon'. 'Uncle John' is distinguished by its intensely blue-green leaves with a heavy glaucous bloom on both surfaces, forming a compact, dense mound.
In the Garden
'Uncle John' reaches 12 inches (30.5 cm) in height and spreads to 26 inches (66 cm) in diameter, with a moderate growth rate. It performs best in partial to full shade, typical for blue-leaved hostas, where its glaucous foliage color is most pronounced. The small size and neat mound form make it suitable for rock gardens, troughs, or the front of shaded borders, where it pairs well with fine-textured ferns or small woodland perennials.
Care Notes
Provide consistent moisture during dry periods, particularly in the first growing season. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. The thick, glaucous leaves offer moderate resistance to slugs, though monitoring is advisable in damp conditions. Deer may browse young foliage.
Size and leaf
| Clump height | 12 in (30.5 cm) |
|---|---|
| Clump width | 26 in (66 cm) |
| Leaf length | 4 in (10.2 cm) |
| Leaf width | 3.5 in (8.9 cm) |
| Vein pairs | 9 |
| Leaf | glaucous bloom on top; glaucous bloom underneath |
| Flower scape height | 20–22 in (50.8–55.9 cm) |
From the American Hosta Society Registry record.
Parentage
- Pod parent: H. 'Blue Splendor' — H. ‘Blue Splendor’
- Pollen parent: H. 'Halcyon' — H. ‘Halcyon’
Registered cultivars that list Hosta ‘Uncle John’ as a parent:
- H. ‘Little Brother’ (seedling (pollen parent))
Similar cultivars
Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (IV-2, small size):
- H. ‘Pewterware’ (1999)
- H. ‘Blue Lady’ (1998)
- H. ‘Venetian Blue’ (2003)
- H. ‘Mr Blue’ (2005)
- H. ‘Miss Linda Smith’ (2006)
- H. ‘Pacific Blue Edger’ (2009)
Related guides
Registration data: AHS Registry #5882