Hosta 'Dancing Crane'

[M] Like so many of Don Dean's introductions, the work and time invested is apparent when you look at the long list of plants involved over many generations of crosses: 'Liberty Bell', 'Ebony Spires', 'Astral Bliss', 'Urajiro Hachijo', pycnophylla, yingeri, 'Grand Slam', 'Fluted Fountain'. When the result is a hosta like 'Dancing Crane', the effort is rewarded. The pointed leaves are smooth and slightly folded down the length, with prominent veining and lightly ruffled margins. Spring foliage emerges yellow and greens up a bit by late summer. The red speckled petioles of Hosta 'Dancing Crane' create a flared, semi-upright mound about 15" tall and 35" across. In mid to late summer, red flushed scapes rise through the leaves looking like colorful, exotic bird heads, blooming with fertile, bell-shaped, light lavender flowers.

(D. Dean - 2020)