Red-Flowered Hostas
What flower colors are possible in the genus Hosta?
In The Hosta Journal, Volume 36, Number 1, Kevin Vaughn wrote,
Hosta blossoms contain a glycoside of malvidin, one of the most structurally complex of the anthocyanin pigments. Based on what has taken place in other genera, mutations affecting the synthesis of the pigment are possible that could result in true blue, true scarlet and pink blossoms. A sport of 'Gold Edger' was recently discovered by Paul Aden, with significantly more pink blossoms than the original. This may represent a mutation from malvidin to peonidin (the pigment of peonies). Clearly, the potential variability of blossom color has not been touched in Hosta. We may have more colours than are now available in daylilies.
Below is a list of hostas which are said to have reddish flowers:
'Akane'
'Amethyst Star'
'Cosmic Rain'
"Exp. 136"
'Kokuryu' |
Recent work by Jeff Moore of Janesville, Wisconsin has produced some very nice red-flowered hybrids. Here are the names of his latest red-flowered introductions:
'Crime and Punishment'- This hybrid includes genes from both 'Akane' and 'Kokuryu', as well as one of Jeff's own red-flowered seedlings, 'Flor Roja'. 'Premature Burial'-A red-flowered hybrid of 'Flor Roja' X 'Edgar Allan Poe'. 'Relic', a cross between two red-flowered parents ("Red Flower #2" X 'Flor Roja'), might end up being the first yellow hosta with red flowers. Other Jeff Moore red-flowered hybrids include 'Anna Karenina', 'Fathers and Sons', 'Flor Roja', 'The Black Cat', 'The Brothers Karamozov', and 'The Pit and The Pendulum'. |
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