This bloom has caused quite a stir, Some experts flew over here just to see this seedling ! It was warm enought to take it outside for a thorough exam....The judgement is in, this flower looks black. Kevin Vaughn wrote in the retrospective issue of the Hosta Journal, volume 36 number 1
" 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."
I have already isolated the red colour and many that look pink, but blue ? depends on how the light hits it.
This black bloom looks to be black in most light conditions on the outer corollae and only in the interior can you see purple with macro photography under intense light.
I have a group of hybrid seedlings with bright yellow foliage colours with 'Black Star' type pigment on the flowers..( 'Texas Tea') think Beverly Hill billys, ('Black Gold')
The addition of pollen from this black one will push them over the edge.
Can you imagine a large grouping of hot yellow seedlings, all blooming at once with coal black blooms.?
next summer !!!
Because of the dark colour of these blooms, the background seems to be darker and the camera focuses on the lighter background, leaving the flower blurry. Anyways, I took some shots using a white back ground and one where it sits.
Jim from the Hills, excited in the Dungeon
[Guess you can always do a red & gold one for them.]
Spending too much time drooling over 'something different'. I'm in awe, speechless - the color is simply magnifico for lack of better words