According to The Genus Hosta by W. George Schmid (1991), this species is native to several Korean islands and
is closely related to H. yingeri. It forms a fast growing, medium size plant about 12 inches by 29
inches wide with narrow, wavy, shiny dark green
foliage. The leaves of H. laevigata have more substance
and are narrower than H. yingeri. Spider shaped purple flowers with narrow petals
and light purple anthers appear from August into September.
It is reported that this species does not set seed readily so is
difficult to use in hybridizing programs. However, using the
pollen of the species some cultivars have been developed
including H. 'Gosan Leather Strap'.
According to
The Hostapedia by
Mark Zilis (2009), this species "...has only limited utility as a
breeding plant, it still has great value as a fast growing
landscape subject."
The New Encyclopedia of Hostas by
Diana
Grenfell (2009) states: "Closely related to
H. yingeri. Good for
hybridizing as it passes on the ruffled edges and spiderlike
flowers...The spider-shaped flowers have very thin petals. The
flower buds can produce more than 30 blossoms on one scape."
H. laevigata was the 1996
Alex J. Summers Distiguished Merit Hosta.
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