A seedling of H. 'Frances
Williams', this cultivar was registered by
Paul Black of Oregon in 2005.
It forms a giant size hosta about 45 inches high by 68 inches
wide. The foliage is twisted,
corrugated and deeply cupped. Lavender flowers bloom starting in
June followed by viable seeds.
The New Encyclopedia of Hostas by
Diana
Grenfell (2009) states: "Tolerates sun in cooler climates although strong
sunlight melts the wax off the leaves angled directly at its rays
turning them green...one of the largest hostas with blue leaves.
Increases rapidly...The deep cupping of the leaves allows the
thickly coated white undersides to be easily visible. The leafy
bracts are small."
An article by Warren I. Pollock in
The
Hosta Journal (2015 Vol. 46 No.2) states that, "Paul
Black registered the hosta in 2005 as 'Gentle Giant', reflecting his appreciation of
ice skating and Japanese figure skater Midori Ito...an Olympic medalist and
world champion nicknamed "the gentle giant"
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