I tried to commet on houzz, but it would’t let me. Others may be having same problem.

So…… venticosa has those beautiful purple flowers —-> so now I want to investigate the lineage of my very purpled flowered hostas. Tomorrow it’s supposed to rain all day, 👏🏽, so it’s a good project!

debra

the bell shape is also a trait of those flowers

I love my ventricosta and the purple blooms. Mine was gifted to me by a dear neighbor that passed about two years ago. i have several offspring from that plant scattered around my gardens. The best thing about it, it grows everywhere under every condition. I have nice green foliage where I had trouble growing any other plant I put there.

Sherry

it is a tough plant. the only natural tetraploid in hosta.

it is apomixis. meaning development of an embryo without the occurrence of fertilization, although its been said it needs to be pollinated to trigger it. most seedlings will be indentical to the mother. occasionally there will be a hybrid. in breeding i usually start with a hybrid since it is so dominant and to avoid clones.

That's interesting. Not sure I have ever seen that plant and its species. Not sure I would know it if I saw it. I will keep an eye out for it around my neighborhood.

Its one of the first hosta To arrive in the US so it probably isnt sold much anymore. Cause its a greenie. if you get one plant and grow the seed you can get an instant mass planting.most seedlings will be identical..

seeds are big and plentiful due to perfect internal fertilization.

Wow, that is very interesting. Yeah, greenies and my garden do not mix well...although I started with Royal standard eons ago.

I might be in very minority of people who do not like hosta flowers, prefer shape, color and texture of the leaf be my attraction.

Otoh it is nice to have workhorse in the garden that is uber reliable.

I've got what I think is the species variety. I thoought for years it was Royal Standard but until now didn't realize the flower difference. Do I have these two right?

ventricosa species?

ventricosa Aureomarginata?

correct

bob solberg says:

ventricosa Aureomarginata is one of the prettiest hosta out there.

but doesn't sell due to the name and age on the market

Maybe you could send me some seeds………then I could grow a few too! 😊

debra

i can do that deb i get many pods every year.

i will email you in the fall when i send them.

they are relatively large seeds and easy to grow. just not that exciting compared to streakers etc.