Diamond Lake

Hosta

Variety Description

Varieties used for comparison: 'Blue Angel' and 'Neptune'

Summary: The plants and leaf blades of 'Diamond Lake' are larger than those of both reference varieties. The petiole of 'Diamond Lake' is longer than that of both reference varieties. The leaf blade of 'Diamond Lake' is broad ovate with a cordate base whereas that of 'Neptune' is very narrow ovate with an acute base. The leaf blade of 'Diamond Lake' has a medium degree of blistering whereas the leaf blade of 'Blue Angel' has absent or weak blistering. The margin of the leaf blade of 'Diamond Lake' has a medium degree of undulation whereas that of 'Neptune' has strong undulation. The inflorescence of 'Diamond Lake' is shorter than that of both reference varieties. The inflorescence of 'Diamond Lake' has a medium number of flowers whereas the inflorescence of 'Neptune' has few flowers.

Description:

PLANT: purple first scaly leaves

LEAF BLADE: broadest part moderately towards base, broad ovate, cordate base, acute apex, flat in cross section, many parallel veins, absent or very weak bulging, medium degree of blistering, medium degree of undulation of margin, absent or weak twisting
LEAF BLADE COLOUR: one colour, dark green (RHS N138A) to dark grey green (RHS 189B), very large surface area, distributed throughout, solid or nearly solid pattern
PETIOLE: "u" shaped in cross section on inner side, yellow green to light green, no anthocyanin colouration

INFLORESCENCE: medium number of flowers, drooping flower attitude, medium brown green (RHS 146C) bracts
FLOWER: single
OUTER COROLLA LOBE: outer side light violet (RHS 84D) to light blue violet (RHS 85D), acute apex
COROLLA TUBE: outer side light violet (RHS 84D) to light blue violet (RHS 85D)
ANTHER: yellow brown

Origin & Breeding History: 'Diamond Lake' originated from a cross conducted by the breeder, Hans Hansen, in the summer of 2011 in Zeeland, Michigan, USA. The cross was made between the proprietary hybrid designated H9-310, as the female parent, and the proprietary hybrid designated 'H9-57', as the male parent. Initial selections were made in the spring of 2014 based on plant habit and foliage colour. The first propagation by shoot tip tissue culture began in the summer of 2014.

Tests & Trials: The comparative trial for 'Diamond Lake' was conducted outdoors under a galvanized steel structure covered with black mesh fabric, during the summer of 2021, at Variety Rights Management in Oxford Station, Ontario. The trial included 20 plants each of the candidate and reference varieties. Plants were individually potted in 22 cm diameter pots spaced 45 cm apart. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants, or 10 parts of plants, of each variety. All colour determinations were made using 2015 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison tables for 'Diamond Lake' with reference varieties 'Blue Angel' and 'Neptune'

Plant foliage height (cm)

Plant width (cm)

Petiole length (cm)

Leaf blade length (cm)

Leaf blade width (cm)

Inflorescence length (cm)

Click on image for larger view

Hosta: 'Diamond Lake' (centre) with reference variety 'Blue Angel' (left) and 'Neptune' (right)