Rich Powdery Blue in a Tidy Medium Mound — a Mark Zilis Venetian Blue Seedling
Mark Zilis registered Hosta 'Becky's Choice' in 2010 as an open-pollinated seedling of H. 'Venetian Blue'. Its ovate leaves are intensely blue-green with a rich glaucous bloom on both surfaces and a slightly rippled, lightly wavy margin. The foliage emerges in a striking powdery blue that transitions to medium green by mid-July — a viridescent quality that gives the garden two distinct looks in one season. Clumps grow to 38.1 cm (15") tall and 71.1 cm (28") wide at a moderate pace. Canadian gardeners from Zone 3 through 9 will find it a refined and rewarding blue hosta.
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Rich powdery blue: A thick glaucous bloom on both leaf surfaces creates an intensely blue, frosty effect through spring and early summer.
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Viridescent colour change: Foliage transitions from striking blue-green to medium green by mid-July — two distinct seasonal looks from a single plant.
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Refined texture: Ovate leaves with a flat base, 10–11 vein pairs, slightly rippled margins, and a lightly wavy habit give the mound an elegant, textured character.
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Near-white blooms: Tubular near-white flowers appear on green scapes 30.5–61.0 cm (12–24") tall from mid-July through early August.
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Venetian Blue lineage: An open-pollinated seedling of H. 'Venetian Blue', selected by Mark Zilis for its rich, powdery blue foliage in a well-proportioned medium mound.
| Feature |
Specification |
| Size (H × W) |
38.1 cm × 71.1 cm (15" × 28") |
| Hardiness Zone |
3–9 |
| Colour |
Intensely blue-green with glaucous bloom; viridescent |
| Light Requirements |
Partial to full shade |
Grower's Tip: 'Becky’s Choice' handles Canadian winters with ease from Zone 3 through 9, and its powdery blue spring emergence is at its most dramatic in the cool, low-light conditions of a Canadian May morning. We grow it at our nursery in Bécancour, QC, where we watch for that signature glaucous bloom on both leaf surfaces before shipping. Our True to Type standard means you receive the authentic Mark Zilis selection — verified before it leaves Bécancour.
