This is one of those classic plants that has undergone a name change. It
was registered by the
AHS in 1987 as
Hosta fluctuans 'Variegated'. Later, it was determined
that this cultivar had been named, Hosta 'Sagae' at an earlier
date and that name would take precedence. Kenji Watanabe of
Japan
registered the plant under that name in 1996.
A sport of the species
H. fluctuans,
this giant (31 inches high) cultivar is known for its upright
form and thick leaf substance. The foliage is wavy and deeply
lobed at the base. It produces pale lavender flowers on scapes
up to 50 inches tall in mid July into August.
According to
The Hostapedia by Mark Zilis
(2009), "This cultivar, long admired in
Japan, can now be considered a hosta "classic" in American
gardens. Its large, vase-shaped mound habit makes it the ideal
background or specimen plant...It is difficult to propagate by
tissue culture, with low multiplication rates and high numbers
of "offtype" plants the norm."
This cultivar was voted No. 2 in
the 2008 Popularity
Poll and No. 1 in the
2009
Popularity Poll by members of the American Hosta Society. It was the
2000 "Hosta of the Year" by the American Hosta Growers of
America.
