Hosta Atomic Elvis

Atomic Elvis is a medium-sized hosta with narrow, wavy blue-green foliage, which stands out in shady borders. Its long, twisted leaves are particularly ruffled and regular. The plant forms a dense, 'curly' looking clump, upright then slightly arching, topped in summer with lavender flower spikes. Vigorous, very hardy and tolerant of some sun, this cultivar thrives in a humus-bearing and consistently moist soil.

Hosta 'Atomic Elvis' is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial from the Asparagaceae family. As with all hostas, its above-ground growth disappears completely in winter, regrowing from its crown the following spring. This cultivar is a horticultural hybrid created in the United States by Ron Livingston from two well-known parents, 'Atom Smasher' and 'Elvis Lives'. It has inherited long, slender leaves, which are of a more uniform shape and particularly crinkled on the edges. Of intermediate size, this cultivar bridges the gap between miniature hostas and large woodland varieties.
The plant forms a slightly flared clump, 35 to 40 cm tall and 50 to 60 cm wide. The fairly rigid leaf petioles initially hold the foliage upright. Then the leaves incline and arch outwards. They are long lanceolate, almost ribbon-like, distinctly narrower than those of classic hostas. They measure about fifteen centimetres long by a few centimetres wide and end in a fine, slightly twisted point. Their texture is rather thick, their colour is a blue-green or grey-green depending on the light and soil, sometimes greener late in the season or in a bright position. In spring, the young leaves show a bluer tone. Between July and August, slender flower spikes rise above the foliage, adding about twenty centimetres in height. They bear clusters of tubular, elongated, bell-shaped flowers, of a medium lavender to mauve.

Hosta 'Atomic Elvis' tolerates morning sun, provided the soil remains moist. Position this perennial at the front of a damp, shady border, along a path, or at the foot of a small tree with light branches. It can be planted in groups of three or five young plants to create a blue-green ribbon that guides the eye along a path. Its fountain-like habit pairs well with hostas of very different forms, for example, 'Praying Hands', with upright, rolled leaves, or 'Curly Fries', a miniature, strongly curled chartreuse variety. To play with colour contrasts, consider the variety 'First Frost', bluish with a cream edge, and Heuchera 'Forever Purple', with shiny purple foliage.