Pic of the Day--Undulata

[Hank Zumach]

Hi All--Today's variety 'Undulata' is supposed to have the punctuation marks around it's name to indicate that it is not a species, as was once claimed. As I think about it, that is one of the few interesting things about the plant. I finally planted it in my Loser's Lane, where it gets mostly dappled sun. It doesn't look any better there than any other place I have had it. In fact, I don't think I have ever seen an attractive Undulata growing anywhere any time after May. By June the plant the plant starts a decline that ends in a ratty, burned out mess. I have had this plant since 1994 when I purchased it labeled as Undulata Variegata. It's size in recent years has averaged about 20x8. Zilis' lists it at 32x12. Only slugs can truly enjoy this variety.

[HostaDesigner]

Translation:

"This plant sucks. Here's why..."

[addieotto]

I have actually been thinking of leaving these in just for the spring and then moving them out after the other hosta get going... like now . Using them almost like annuals. They look good for about 30 seconds in May and then it's over.

I moved these from dappled sun to beat down, hot morning sun with shade all afternoon and they look better than they did in the shade (for those thirty seconds in May).

[Tigger]

And yet, because it grows like a weed (rare for a white-centered plant), people pass it on and it gets planted everywhere. When we moved, I left the undulata behind with no regrets. I actually visited by the old place (snooping, really) to see there was still a little bit of undulata under a hemlock, getting choked out by the ivy that the newest owners have let go crazy (as in up the side of the house, even across a living room window!). Sigh. 'Twas such a lovely garden once.

Anyway, undulata. Agree, agree. And you didn't mention the worthless blooms.

I'll give some accession to planting Undulata Albomarginata, but as to the white-centered ones… bah! (If you like the look—not at all unattractive—of Undulata Univittata, just bite the bullet and pay for Night Before Christmas. At least it's stable.)

[Hank Zumach]

Hi--In case there are those who doubt...here is the way the plant looks in August. Not for the faint of heart.

[addieotto]

Only a mother could love it.

[renaldo75]

But only for those 30 seconds in May.

[playinmud]

GULP! I actually love this one, it has an emotional hold on me, I hate to say it, but if I had to choose just one to take with me when I move it would be undulata. It was my mother's pride and joy...her "Funkia" as she called it. What an emotional sap I am.

[digs57]

Interesting, contrasting opinions!

I had a bunch of "undulatas" growing together, and after a time it became apparent that this was two different varieties of "undulatas" - some looked like Hank's POTD, others always looked great all season. The latter have a nice wide dark green edge right from the get go in spring.

I abandoned the ratty ones 3 years ago during a move, but took a piece of the "looker" with me, and to tell the truth it's as good a plant as any, and better than many of my fancy hostas. I like it very much! I never let it bloom, just snip-snip the scapes when they appear.

For a while I had the impression that the undulata ugly was "univitatta", and the looker is "mediovariegata". Can anyone comment & correct that?

Thanks!
Digs.

[MollyD]

Thank goodness I have albomarginata and not that one! Sorry to those who love it but why on earth would anyone want that in their garden??? Much nicer weeds out there!!

MollyD

[Hank Zumach]

Digs--If this helps, here is a photo of Undulata Univittata.

[MollyD]

univitata seems nice. Does it stay that pretty all season?

MollyD

[Hank Zumach]

MollyD--It holds up OK. There is some deterioration but not too bad.

[MollyD]

Thanks Hank,

I like that one. Had never seen it before.

MollyD

[digs57]

Thanks, Hank - that's the one!
Here's mine on 28 July last year - it looks cool & crisp even in the worst heat of our summer.
Digs.

[Tigger]

There's a worthwhile pictorial synopsis of the Undulata family here.

The point to note is that Undulata (mediovariegata) will slowly, inexorably convert itself (via Univittata/Middle Ridge) to the all-green Erromena. If you want to keep a particular variegation pattern, keep dividing the crowns you like and toss out any with less white than you want. Not hard to do, since the plant divides so easily.

I've never heard of Albomarginata ever changing to anything. (although the linked website mentions a gold-margined form?)

[MollyD]

Tigger,

Thanks for that link! I've bookmarked it so I can refer to it again.
My albomarginata seems to have pieces that become a bit more white edged but that's about it. Yesterday I attempted to pull a piece off that looked interesting but I bungled it and ended up pulling it off without much in the way of roots or crown. Stuck it in the ground anyway just in case it decided to take. Still alive this morning with all this rain we've gotten.

MollyD

[caliloo]

I know it melts, I know it gets ratty, I know you have to keep removing ugly spots.... but when it is good, it is REALLY good!

[greenguy]

ummm....all i can see is that is a very handsome dog

[caliloo]

LOL!

Princess Diva is in the shot just to give it size perspective. She is about 85 lbs of big girl Dobie And, she had been chasing those wascally wabbits for almost an hour so it was time to take a little break.