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  A large size (25 inches high
by 66 inches wide), thick textured, blue
green hosta, this plant was registered by
Paul Aden of New York in
1978 as a sport of a variegated H. 'Robusta'. The foliage,
which turns greener as the season progresses, is
heavily corrugated with thick substance. Near white flowers
bloom from mid-June into July followed by viable seeds.
This is one of those
hostas that was "re-registered " with more up to date
information. The more recent registration occurred
in 2010 and listed
Paul Aden of New York as both originator and registrant. It was described
as a sport of a variegated form of H. 'Elegans'.
Hope this is not too confusing.
 According to
The Hosta Handbook by Mark Zilis (2000), this is one of many, many cultivars of a similar
type to H. 'Elegans'." The leaves tend to cup more than other
Sieboldianas,
especially in contrast to 'Big Mama' to which it is often compared."
Mark Zilis (2009), adds "The original
registration files...portrayed a
much different plant than the one in commerce. It was described
as having yellow-centered, green margined leaves with pale
lavender flowers (July 35 peak of bloom). Obviously the large,
blue-green H. 'Sieboldiana'-type that we know as 'Big Daddy' is not the
same plant. I suspect that the original registration describes a
sport of 'Yellow Splash' or the similar 'Robusta Variegata'.
From the
Field Guide to Hostas by Mark Zilis (2014), "...ranks among the top large blue-leaved cultivars for its
color intensity and thick substance...can be used as
a large ground cover or background plant."
The New Encyclopedia of Hostas by
Diana
Grenfell (2009) states: "Remains a chalky dark blue in a well-shaded site
for most of the season...Very slow to increase,
especially from a young tissue-cultured
plant...Among the most distinctly cupped, larger,
blue-leaved hostas."
 "AHS
President's Exhibitor Trophy Award, 1989 and Midwest Blue Award,
1989, exhibited by Richard Ward. Mature leaves have 16 veins
indicating H. sieboldiana relationship. Otherwise leaves look
like a large H. 'Tokudama'."
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H. 'Big Daddy’ P. Aden (ONIR) 1976
Plant: 36 in. (91.4 cm) diameter; 28
in. (71.1 cm) high.
Leaf: 10 in. (25.4 cm) long; 7 in.
(17.8 cm) wide; 16 vein pairs;
yellow center; 1 in. (2.54 cm) wide,
green margin; cupped and cor-rugated;
rounded.
Flower: pale lavender; Baldwin, NY;
July to August..
Seed: seed set unknown.
Clump History: original sport;
Baldwin, NY.
[sport of H. 'Fortunei Robusta
Variegated']
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H. 'Big Daddy’ P. Aden (ONIR) RR2010
Plant: 66 in. (167.6 cm) diameter;
25 in. (63.5 cm) high.
Leaf: 15 in. (38.1 cm) long; 10.5
in. (26.7 cm) wide; 16 to 17 vein
pairs; intensely blue-green;
glaucous bloom on top and
underneath; broadly ovate cordate
base; intensely corrugated, slightly
cupped.
Scape: 24 to 32 in. (61 to 81.3 cm)
long.
Flower: near white; Baldwin, NY;
June 15 to July 15.
Seed: sets viable seeds.
Clump History: original sport;
Baldwin, NY.
[sport of a variegated form of H. 'Elegans'
(sold under the invalid name H. "Fortunei
Robusta Variegated"]
Seasonal Variation: turns green by
late summer.
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