BLOODLINE

This hosta has reset the bar again since Hosta First Blush came onto the market a few years ago. Bloodline is a hybrid of a Tequila Sunrise seedling x First Blush. It has a deep burgundy red color across the entire leaf, almost looking brown. This color shows up as soon as the hosta comes up in spring and lasts most of the summer if given lots of sun. It blooms late in the summer with slightly fertile light purple flowers. It does bloom a few weeks earlier than First Blush so it could be used as a breeding plant. Fast growth rate. After reading up on the red pigment anthocyanin in this hosta I found it very interesting that it is used as cold weather protection and protection against sun damage. It is the same red pigment found in sedum and creeping charlie when they emerge. The amount of red may vary from year to year depending on the weather, your location and the location of the hosta.