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BK here is Fragrant Blue

10 years ago

This is an offshoot thread from one by DonB where BKay wanted to see the Fragrant Blue. That thread was Olive Bailey Langdon And Others.

And here is the Fragrant Blue. It came to me at end of growing season in 2011. It was in a nursery pot at Seawright Nursery in Carlisle MA. It came south with me that winter packed in a PODS.
It came up early February in 2012, really blue. Nice rounded full leaves, fairly light in substance as I recall. This spring it came up bluer and of a heavier substance. A little time lapse photography here.

Feb 21 2012

{{gwi:360629}}

April 23, 2013 It emerged first week of April 2013.

And here on May 6,2013, is
Fragrant Blue (left) and Fragrant Blue Ribbons (right....minus her cream margin!)

Please contribute your Fragrant Blue pictures and remarks.

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Comments (7)

Pieter zone 7/8 B.C.
10 years ago
Here's one of mine, taken 23 May 2012. The original plant took forever to get to any size, something like 5 years to get to 5 shoots. It wasn't until after I dug it up and divided it for a trade that the remaining division took off. While initially planted in the ground, I now have it growing in pots, which is seems to like better.

For good measure, here's a picture of some of last year's flowers.

It took several years before my 'Fragrant Blue' developed fragrance in its flowers. I speculate it has to do with maturity. The scent is reminiscent of Freesias, quite unlike the majority of fragrant flowered hostas. I've had mine since 2002 and it took until 2009 before I detected the first fragrance. Cannot wait until August to smell it again....

Pieter
User
Original Author
10 years ago
Pieter, thank you for that bit of info about maturity and fragrance in this particular hosta. I was discounting points because it is commonly felt to have no fragrance, even though it has the genes for it. So I'll wait. It looks too good to remove from my garden.
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El Nino and Fragrant Blue did not make it :(
Q
Comments (10)
The only one with pips right now is U. Albomarginata (oh and Paul's Glory has the one that is trying to unfurl before it's even completely emerged). The rest are just eyes just emerged from the surface. We had a lot of rain last night and I noticed the eye on Fire Island is starting to look like a pip. I think a lot of them are still waiting for warmer weather? It's supposed to be above average this week (in the 70's) so that'll help, too. I was worried but the oak tree isn't "shedding" seeds yet like it normally would about the same time, either. So that puts my mind at ease plus the eyes are firm and look good on all of them so far. And you're right, I can always shop for more. It's not like they're extinct! Plus more survived than didn't so that is something to be thankful for. I think 3 for sure of the U. Medio Variegata's are doing something... So they make me happy, too. I'm pretty sure my final loss count will be more, most likely 6 (with Fire and Ice, I don't think it looks good at all) and maybe 7, but I really hope NOT, Orange Marmalade. The good news is that I won't need to worry about pots... I have lots of pots. I was being sarcastic, in case you couldn't tell. :( This time last season, I had just got Wheee... It's strange that no one has hostas right now for sale. And if they do, they are only bulbs. I prefer plants so I can see what I'm getting for sure. Oh well, maybe in another couple of weeks? Here's a pic of one of the 5 Medio Variegata's "eyes" a few moments ago... Does it look like eyes to you?
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The different shades of 'Fragrant Blue'
Q
Comments (3)
Just some info to throw onto this thread as an owner/observer of a 'Fragrant Blue'; Mine is still a powdery-blue color, and at this time it's sending up a scape that is about 3-4 inches high so far. It had no scent I could detect last year. I will surely sniff the flowers when they bloom. I got it as a bonus from Hallson Gardens last summer, so I believe it is now a fourth-year plant. Don B.
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Didn't Expect This From My Fragrant Blue
Q
Comments (8)
Well gee, I wrote a whole response, and clicked, now it is totally gone. What was I saying? My mine erases once I dump the data. I'm not familiar with characteristics of leaf changes, Santa. I got my first streaking hosta this year. Hope someone can answer to your satisfaction. I give you the way FBRibbons looked soon after I got it in 2012 from Naylor Creek. It was the prettiest powder blue I ever saw. Then in 2013 it came up without the white margin, and I could really tell it looked like Fragrant Blue. Taken in May, they are still blue here. Then another picture of 2014 early in the season. Like April 16. Our spring was fairly cool so the blues looked great. I put FBR in the back of others, made sure it stayed in the shade to avoid burning the creamy white margins. Other than turning green later on, the margins are still good. It has good substance like FB does.
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Here's a good one, my NOT Fragrant Cloud...
Q
Comments (1)
Here's still another picture of it that opened in a vase, and there is no white on this one...wierd... Stef Here is a link that might be useful: another not FC?
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tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
10 years ago
My 10 or so year old Fragrant Blue from 2011. Just a bunch of unfurled pips at the moment.

tj
bkay2000
10 years ago
Thanks, guys for the photos. They have a small fragrant blue at the nursery by the arboretum. I'm still debating it, as I'm just about out of space until Cleo grows up some more.

bk
User
Original Author
10 years ago
It's a classy hosta, BK, and should be available in many places even if the local nursery sells out.

My Dolly, who is about 6 mos old now and a doxie, likes to help in the garden. I trimmed a palmetto the other day, and found the fronds inside by her floor cushion. LOTS of fronds. Looked like she'd mulched the room.
bkay2000
10 years ago
Cleo is getting a lot better. Finally finding a way to exercise her has helped a lot. She's over a year old now, so that helps. I've also been careful not to put anything tempting in her way.

I get the frond thing, though. Cleo likes sticks and logs. She chews them up on the rugs. (She can get a four foot stick through the doggie door.) The kids next door like to throw them to her, too.

I'm about bummed out on mail order. Almost everything I've bought that way since the fall of 2011 is either dead or struggling. (Yes, Cleo is to blame for a good deal that.)

bk
ilovetogrow z9 Jax Florida
10 years ago
Do not give up. I did not think any of mine were coming up this year and low and behold they did. Dogs are like small children but they get better with time. Then you will be back. So go get the Fragrant Blue as it is Friday and show it to us when you do. I really like mine. These two are new but I have a liner that is growing like a weed. Paula

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