This is one
of those cases where there are two hostas with the
same name. One is registered and,
therefore, the "official" version of H. 'Big
Hearted'
while the other is a non-registered plant and needs
to be renamed to avoid further confusion.
Dr. Ralph (Herb) Benedict of Michigan originated this cultivar and registered
it in 1983. It is the result of a cross between H. nakaiana
x H. 'Zager's Giant' (aka 'Herbert'). This plant grows
into a medium size hosta
around 14 inches in height by about 45 inches wide. The heart shaped
foliage is slightly rippled, has some corrugation and has bloom
on the underside. Its medium lavender flowers bloom in July.
According to
The Hostapedia by Mark Zilis (2009), "...not the same as the
Van
Wade plant of the
same name (huge mound of blue-green foliage). 'Big Hearted'
makes a much smaller specimen and has more of a heart-shaped
leaf."