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| First considered nigrescens f. elatior, then nigrescens 'Elatior', this plant is best called simply 'Elatior'. No connection to the species nigrescens is clear, and no wild population is known to have existed. It was found in cultivation in Japan. W. George Schmid considers it an interspecific hybrid. Mark Zilis says it "can only be viewed with awe. The massive mound of large, shiny green foliage is impressive enough; the flower stalks that reach 6-7 feet high add a striking vertical element to the shaded landscape." The flowers are near-white with a distinctive pattern of lavender in mid-petal, and are funnel-shaped. At this time some of its progeny are not well known but there have been a few which are now getting some notice: 'Diva', with bright gold foliage; 'Ersatz', 'Spotlight', and 'Russ O'Harra'. Maekawa is given credit for the original 'Elatior' in 1940. According to Van Wade, it is one of the best specimen or background hostas ever developed. |
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