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 A large size (23 inches
high by 45 inches wide) hosta that has green leaves that are yellow in
the center early in the season. Pale lavender
flowers with darker streaks are borne on scapes up
to 36 inches tall. It changes to an all green leaf
as the season progresses into summer followed by a
few viable seeds.
Until
Schmid (1991) changed the status of this plant
from a species to a cultivar, it had been known as
Hosta fortunei 'Albo-picta'. It had been
registered under that name in 1987 by
The American Hosta Society.
According to
The Hostapedia by
Mark Zilis (2009), this
cultivar "...possibly the same as Funkia aurea
maculata, which was introduced by
Philip Franz von Sieblod's nursery in
 1874...It
has been far surpassed by hundreds, if not
thousands, of newer hosta cultivars in some
respects; however, it still makes a great general
purpose landscaping plant and has value as a
breeding plant."
The New Encyclopedia of Hostas by
Diana
Grenfell (2009) states: "Natural sport of H. 'Fortunei'...Variegation
is maintained for longer if grown in light shade in
a cooler climate...At its best soon after the leaves
unfurl. By the end of the season the leaf blade is a
dull two-tone green."
This cultivar has
been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award
of Garden Merit in the
UK.
This plant may have been sold at
one time as Mackwoods No. 9.
 An article about leaf color change by Warren I. Pollock in
The
Hosta Journal (1991 Vol. 22 No. 1) cites an extract from
The Genus Hosta by W. George Schmid on seasonal changes in hosta leaf
colors:
| Viridescence |
Emerging with yellow or whitish
color that ultimately become increasingly green. An example is
H. 'Fortunei Albopicta' whose green-bordered leaves have a
beautiful, bright yellow-colored center in the spring that turns to
green by midseason. |
| Partial Viridescence |
Emerging with yellow or whitish
color that turns to chartreuse (yellowish green), sometimes a dark
chartreuse. One example is H. 'Kabitan'; two others are 'Golden
Scepter'...and the center leaf coloring of 'Golden
Tiara'. |
| Lutescence |
Emerging green or chartreuse and
turning yellow or whitish yellow. The coloring of leaf centers
of 'Gold Standard'. ..is an example. |
| Albescence |
Yellow, yellowish green or green
areas that turn to near white. Examples are the center leaf
coloring of 'Janet'...and the margins of 'Antioch'...and H. ventricosa 'Aureomarginata'. |
 In an article in
The
Hosta Journal (2001 Vol. 32 No. 1),
Tom Micheletti,
former President of The American Hosta Society took on the task of listing the
"Classic Hosta Cultivars" through the year 2003. He decided to divide these into
categories including: Green,
Blue,
Yellow (Gold,
White-Margined,
Yellow-Margined,
White Medio-Variegated
and Yellow Medio-Variegated.
Admittedly, some of these
white-centered beauties are difficult to get established and grown
to a respectable size, but experimentation with varying light
condition can locate a spot in the garden where these plants will
flourish.
| Classic
White Medio-Margined Hostas |
- H. 'Calypso' is a small plant which nicely displays pointed
leaves with white centers.
- H. 'Cherry Berry' has the crowning glory of pale lavender
flowers atop cherry red stems.
- H. 'Fortunei Albopicta' has leaves that may turn green as
summer progresses. This is a staple in many older landscapes.
- H. 'Geisha' is a plant that is easily recognized in the
garden.
- H. 'Great Expectations', some will say, is inappropriately
named. The expectations are a disappointment because it is
difficult to grow well. Just experience the beauty of a
well-grown specimen as seen in many gardens, and it will become
apparent that the expectations of this beauty are worth
experimenting with.
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- H. 'Masquerade' is a diminutive cultivar that grows well.
- H. 'Night before Christmas' is an improvement from its parent
H. 'White Christmas' from which it sported. Both cultivars are
outstanding when grown well.
- H. 'Sea Thunder' is another of
Mildred Seaver's beautiful
and distinctive plants.
- H. 'Spilt Milk', while not exactly white-centered, has the
white streaking that is unequaled in any other hosta.
- H. 'Undulata Univittata', if introduced today would be all
the rage, with curled leaves and white centers. Just because
Grandma grew it, doesn't mean it is not a standout.
- H. 'Whirlwind' can be best described by the word
"outstanding!"
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This is quite an extensive list of
distinctive cultivars. Many have been popular either with gardeners,
landscapers and collectors for over 25 years...Their timeless beauty
is why they are still kicking after all these years. |
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