Pic of the Day--Blue Canoe

Hank Zumach · Post by **Hank Zumach** » May 10, 2007 10:48 am

Hi All--Blue Canoe was added to the garden in 2003 as a 14x9 plant. It has slowly increased, measuring 22x10 in 2004, 24x12 in 2005 and 28x11 in 2006. As you can see from the pix, there has not been a great increase in the number of leaves. Lemke lists it as 19x16, based on registration information. However, the flat shape of the mound of my plant does not seem likely to produce that kind of measurement. The elongated, upturned leaf edges is what makes this plant unique and gives it it's name. Apparently, the variety had good, blue coloring when it originated but the plants now being sold in the States are chartreuse. Slugs have not bothered Blue Canoe but it was damaged in 2004 (the 2nd pic) but what I believe was a species of cutworms. The other photos are from 2003 and 2006.

Registry - http://www.hostaregistrar.org/detail.ph ... ue%20Canoe

MyHostas - http://myhostas.be/db/hostas/Blue+Canoe

Hosta Library - http://www.hostalibrary.org/b/bluecanoe.html

thehostagourmet · Post by **thehostagourmet** » May 10, 2007 12:33 pm

Hank, your patience is extrordinary! Another I would have shovel pruned long ago. Imagine a blue canoe that's really chartreuse. What a con!

George

renaldo75 · Post by **renaldo75** » May 10, 2007 2:00 pm

I believe I've read on Naylor's website that Blue Canoe is indeed blue in England, but when it was planted in the US it has always been green. They have no idea why, but hostas are interesting creatures.

I'd be interested to know if one from the US was sent back to England, if it would turn back to blue again.

thy · Post by **thy** » May 10, 2007 5:46 pm

i didn't belive my eyes when I saw the pics

do not have it in the garden ´but it is blue here and an medium grower

jgh · Post by **jgh** » May 10, 2007 9:30 pm

I think I've noted before the odd quality that yellow-green hostas often have a bluish tinge. For me, BC gives a distinctly bluish impression in the deep shade spot I've got it... and then it gets more chartreuse. It's not blue... it is chartreuse... but with a bluish tinge.

I just went out to check... mine hasn't unfurled yet this year... the eyes look to be green... but the outer layer of each eye is quite bluish looking

: Just checked the date... this was taken June 1, 2005.

newtohosta-no more · Post by **newtohosta-no more** » May 11, 2007 9:05 am

Mine looks bluish-green early in the season but lightens up a bit as the summer approaches. These are last year's pics.

: A little beaten down after a storm the day before.