What do you think of this hosta seedling?

[Chris_W]

This is an open pollinated seedling of Hosta 'Lakeside Surf Rider', which is a hybrid of Sagae and Lakeside Ripples. You can see the influence of Sagae on the leaf shape of this one. It is a large clump (not giant but might get there eventually) and the leaves are glossy and very thick.

What do you think? I get several people a year asking what this hosta is so I'm considering introducing it. Even though I think there are enough plants sort of like this out there, since it keeps catching people's attention and they want to know what it is, then I might as well! It would make a good $10 to $15 hosta I think.

And then it would need a name too. Any thoughts or ideas?

Thanks

Chris

[Pieter]

If people keep asking about it, it obviously makes an impression. While it may do that in person, the picture doesn't really convey that to me. So, while it may prove to be a decent seller in the yard, mail order sales will need pictures to show it off better.

How's about 'Surf City' to honour it's heritage........

[Tigger]

I agree with Pieter. Does it have Sagae's out-of-control blooms?

[Chris_W]

I should have had a ruler handy for this picture. The leaves are a foot long at least, so they are pretty good sized. And I'll watch the flowers next year. By out of control, do you mean lots of them, or lots of them flopping around in the way, like Elatior?

[JoshS]

I have to agree with the others...it's ok, but do we really need another ok hosta?

[Chris_W]

That was my feeling about this one too - so I don't quite get why so many people ask me what this one is and if I can divide a piece off for them.

I'll keep watching it a little while longer. There are some other seedlings from Lakeside Surf Rider that I grew with long, elongated leaves and a lot of blue color that I like more, but still have the same feeling about those - are they really necessary...

[JoshS]

How old is it, Chris? Do you have a picture of the elongated blue? I really like 'Lakeside Surf Rider' and it sold well for me when I grew it. I think it could be a good parent with the right mate.

[Linda P]

My thoughts about it are that you could give it a garden name, and then if someone is insistent on having a piece of it for their garden, divide and sell only at your nursery. I've grown some Lakeside Surf Rider seedlings, and some are pretty impressive in size but nothing I will probably ever register. They're great background plants in the garden. The one that I like the most doesn't seem to want to grow, while the others are huge. Figures!

[thy]

Same as Linda said, but divide some from it to sell and maybe cal it Chris's XXX Green, big or ...