June Fever

Hosta

Variety Description

Variety used for comparison: 'June'

Summary: Glaucosity of the leaf blades of 'June Fever' is absent while it is strong for 'June'. 'June Fever' has weaker glossiness of the leaf blades than 'June'. The main colour of the upper side of the leaf blade is medium green for 'June Fever' while it is gray green for 'June'.

Description:

PLANT: mounding growth habit at maturity

LEAF: simple type, basal arrangement in plant
LEAF BLADE: ovate, apiculate apex, cuneate base, no glaucosity, absent to very weak glossiness, variegation present, medium green main colour, grey green secondary colour with dark green sections, small amount of secondary colour located along the margin and along the veins as random stripes
PETIOLE: present

INFLORESCENCE: raceme type
FLOWER: campanulate
COROLLA LOBE: two coloured on the inner side (excluding veins), cuspidate apex
TEPAL: light blue violet/white main colour on outer side, light blue violet secondary colour distributed along mid-vein on inner side

Origin & Breeding History: 'June Fever' was discovered by the breeder, H. J. van den Top, as a whole plant mutation of the cultivar 'June' in May of 1998. The discovery occurred in Barneveld, The Netherlands. It was selected based on various leaf characteristics including colour and overall appearance.

Tests & Trials: The test and trial for 'June Fever' was conducted during the summers of 2005-2006 at BioFlora Inc. in St. Thomas, Ontario. The trial included 15 plants of each variety. All plants were grown from bare-rooted plants established at Mori Nurseries, Ontario in the spring of 2005. Plants were transplanted to 1 gallon containers in the summer of 2005 and overwintered in a poly-house. The trial was conducted during the summer of 2006 in the greenhouse under shade conditions. Observations and measurements were taken from 10 plants of each variety on August 1, 2006. All colour measurements were made using the 2001 Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Colour Chart.

Comparison table for 'June Fever' with reference variety 'June'

Colour of upper side of leaf blade (RHS)

Click on image for larger view

Hosta: 'June Fever' (left) with reference variety 'June' (right)