Hosta sieboldii (Pax.) J.Ingram

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘A native of Japan, introduced lately by the Botanist whose name it bears to the Leyden garden, whence we obtained it in 1830.  It grows freely, and flowers in June.  Like others of the genus, the blossoms are of short duration.’  [LBC no.1869/1832].  

‘Hemerocallis Japonica (Bot. Mag. t.1433.) and H. caerulea (Bot. Mag. t.894.) constitute a distinct group in that Genus which Sprengel has separated, and to which he has given the name of Funckia.  The present [Funkia sieboldiana] is a species belonging to that Genus, for a knowledge of which we are indebted to Dr. Siebold, the celebrated Japanese Traveller who found it in Japan, and introduced it to the gardens in Belgium, whence it was received by Mr. Murray at the Glasgow Botanic Garden from Mr. M’Coy.  It flowers in the greenhouse in July.’  [BM t.3663/1838]. 

Both Paxton’s and Johnson’s Dictionary give 1830 as the date of introduction of Funkia sieboldiana.  It is figured under this name in the Ornamental Flower Garden.  [OFG f.76/1854].  BR f.50/1839.

History at Camden Park

Listed in all published catalogues [B.212/1843].

Notes

Hemerocallis sieboldii Hort. ex Baker (1870) = H. dumortierii Morr.  A Japanese species, synonyms Hemerocallis graminea Schlecht., H. rutilans Hort. ex. Baker, the ‘Narrow Dwarf Daylily’.  A vigorous clump-forming species, leaves to 45cm long and 2.5cm wide, fleshy roots, and fragrant, soft apricot-orange flowers, tinged brown outside.  [RHSD].  This is not Macarthur’s plant.