Blue Angel here in GA spreads out for us here while Blue Umbrellas grows very tall and then starts to fall, the color and leaf texture are different as well. Course leaves with BA and smooth leaves with BU

so far here BU is much bigger than BA, but hey why not get BOTH

Ed

Very different plants. BA is likely a combination of Montana and Sieboldiana. It makes a Giant stately clump. Notice how the leaves point downward making a neat clump.

BU has Sieboldiana also but crossed with Tokudama. Here is mine in August at the end of its first year in my garden.

The color is bluer than it shows especially earlier in the year. But notice the angle of the leaves to the petioles is closer to 90 degrees. That and the fact that the leaves have a domed "umbrella" shape makes this quite a different plant.

Ed's right you should have them both.

Steve

Yes indeed, not really similar at all. Thanks for the excellent pics, Steve. Perhaps a purchase of both IS in order. Hmmmm......

Thanks,
Don B.

Heck, Don, what's another hosta more or less among friends?
Go for it.

But I was listening to your reason to make another choice. if they HAD been alike....my candidate for one that would also be different from Blue Angel.

And that is Clear Fork River Valley. It is far removed from the sophisticated graces of Blue Angel, with its orderly tailored look. It is rough, Rambo with a three day beard, fast growing, apparently slug proof, a rather roundish leaf instead of the pair of blue angel wings. If you check the Hosta Library, the color of mine is like the 3d picture from the top, decidedly a blue tint. Nothing smooth about it. Crinkled up as much as broccoli! And mine is entering its 2nd year here in this picture. So. yeah, if Blue Umbrellas had been just like Blue Angel, ........

So....why not get Clear Fork River Valley too? Have all three.
You know what they say about good things coming in threes....

Now why was it not showing the picture......
here it is.

Sorry. I wanted to make a correction, do not know how.
That hosta shown as
H. 'Squash Casserole' happens to be H. 'Spinach Souffle' which is not as developed as Squash Casserole is. What was I thinking? Dinner?

sorry.

LOL That's funny, Mocc. I've been eyeing that Hosta on my want list, and I keep bumping it up. 'Clear Fork River Valley' is simply beautiful. Plus it seems it keeps getting endorsements by owners of said plant. Must be a good grower, yes? Nice and-sturdy-looking, too. Better place another order. Ahhhh, Mocc you ENABLER!!!! :) What are friends for?

Regards,
Don B.

I'm with Moccasin on this one Don. Clear Fork River Valley has the the same shape leaves as Blue Umbrellas, but not the intense corrugation. Here's mine, still a baby in it's second year. It's gets hot afternoon sun.

Gesila

Another highly textured blue that I have is Albiqua Blue Crinkles.. I don't recall how big it can get but mine seems o lay pretty low and wide so far, Massive texture and personality.. stays pretty blue in the North side shade of the house...

Wonder what it will be this year? :)

This post was edited by leafwatcher on Fri, May 3, 13 at 8:07

Canadian Blue is another large blue hosta. We are only trying to give you options, not really trying to complicate things. LOL

'It is rough, Rambo with a three day beard."
What a terrific description of a hosta.
I too treated myself to 'Spinach Souffle' this year. It's quite pretty so far, but too young for the garden yet.