H.'Elegans'

The name Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegans' is technically incorrect. Bob Axmear says in the Hosta Library:

Use of the name sieboldiana 'Elegans', though widespread, is technically incorrect. The name 'Elegans' was originally given to a hybrid created by Arends, which was called 'Robusta'. Today the name is used for a variety of different blue sieboldiana-type plants which have been grown from seed in the last century. It should be considered a general name for these plants, and not that of a specific cultivar. In preparation for his book The Genus Hosta, W. George Schmid once tried to track down the original plant from Arends, but was able only to narrow it down to five growing in two locations in Germany.

Elegans was a new variety for us in 2006. There is only one left after the return of the HVX infected plants back in May and I had a close look at it the other day and I must admit I don't like what I see. While it might have given the appearance of being clear -and this is supposedly a cultivar that is not easily infected- I'm very suspicious of what I see. But perhaps I'm just paranoid and all that's showing itself are the effects of over-watering..

This what I'm talking about: the lower left quadrant shows mild bleeding and puckering consistent with HVX symptoms. The leaf shown here is the one slightly left center of the plant, pointing upwards.

Perhaps I was just a little over-sensitive to leaves not looking 100% normal. 5 weeks later there is no evidence of what I think I saw, matter of fact the plant is filling out rather nicely. It's in a #2 pot to give the roots ample room. Hopefully next year we'll see another couple of eyes on this crown and then it'll be division time and let's see where we can find a spot in the yard for this biggun.

Mid September and if you look closely you'll see there is a new leaf unfurling, it doesn't know from fall.

For more information on this cultivar go to Hugo's Database.