This non-registered
cultivar is a sport of
H. longissima
longifolia from Japan. It forms a small size
plant with green foliage that has a yellow medial
(center) variegation. Pale lavender flowers with 4 or 5
blossoms per scape bloom in September.
H. 'Kinakafu Nagaba
Mizu' has been known by many, many different names in
its native Japan. According to
The Hostapedia by Mark Zilis (2009), "It may be the same as the plant sold as 'Asahi
Star'...Adding to the confusion is the name 'Kinakafu
Hosaba Mizu', which some plants might be legitimately
labeled since 'Nagaba Mizu' and 'Hosoba Mizu' are both
accepted names for H. longissima longifolia."
Mikiko Lockwood in an article on The Hosta Library titled,
A Little About Japanese Hosta Terms defines the term hosoba
as narrow leaf, the term mizu as water, 'Mizu Gibōshi' or
H. longissima, the term nagaba as narrow long leaf(ed). and the term kinakafu or ki nakifu as yellow-center(ed). |