Hostas Plant List

Brought to America in the late 1800’s from Japan, Korea and China ordinary-looking Hosta became an almost forgotten fixture in shade gardens. Fortunately, some nurseries recognized its enormous potential and the 1980’s and 1990’s saw an explosion of interest with breeders introducing improved varieties in a kaleidoscope of brightly hued colors as well as unique foliage shapes and textures. Lily-like flowers in lavender or white (some fragrant) appear late June to mid-August on stems that rise above the leaves. Hosta prefer moist, rich organic soil in bright dappled sunlight to shade, tolerating up to four hours of direct sunlight in the morning or mid-afternoon. Types with golden colors need at least 2 hours of direct sun to maintain the color.

Small

Name	HxW	Leaf Color	Notes	Slug Resistant
Designer Genes	12”x24”	Yellow-gold	Red stems and leaf tips in spring. Foliage will be lime green in shade
Gemstone	10”x24”	Blue	Sweet mound of powdery blue, wavy leaves. Ideal for edging
Ginko Craig	12”x20”	Green with white margin	Narrow leaves and low, dense form make this a great edging plant
Heat Wave	12”x24”	Gold with blue- green margin	Cupped, corrugated leaves mature to blue with a yellow bolt in the center
Lakeside Paisley Print	10”x30”	Green and creamy white	Wavy-edged leaves have striking, feathery looking central variegation
Maui Buttercups	10”x24”	Gold	Rounded, deeply cupped leaves have great texture. Violet flowers in July	X
Popcorn	12”x24”	Creamy white with blue-green margin	New leaves emerge yellow, fading to creamy white. White flowers in July
Praying Hands	14”x24”	Green with gold margin	Tightly folded, upright leaves resemble hands in prayer!
Rainforest Sunrise    S	10”x25”	Green and gold	Cupped, corrugated leaves with dramatic color contrast, especially if grown in morning sun	X
Stiletto	12”x30”	Green with white margin	Long, skinny rippled leaves form a dense mound

Medium

Name	HxW	Leaf Color	Notes	Slug Resistant
Ann Kulpa	20”x24”	Green with yellow to white center	Cupped, heart-shaped leaves. Slender central band of creamy yellow to white
August Moon    S	20”x40”	Gold	Excellent older gold variety with broad golden leaves. Best in AM sun
Aureomarginata    S	20”x40”	Green with yellow margin	An old but good variety with consistent yellow margins from leaf to leaf
Blue Cadet	15”x36”	Blue-green	Leaves become greener in summer, changing to an excellent yellow in fall
Blue Ivory	16”x30”	Blue with white margin	Wide, irregular creamy white margin brightens to white in summer	X
Blue Jay	16”x30”	Blue	Heart-shaped leaves are thick and hold their intense blue color well	X
Dancing Queen	18”x30”	Yellow	Wedge-shaped leaves with a wavy pie crust margin remain yellow all season
Golden Prayers	15”x30”	Gold	Upright leaves are held in a praying position. Near white flowers in Jun-Jul
Emerald Tiara	16”x35”	Gold with green margin	Forms a very dense mound of foliage. Color is best with at least 2 hours sun
Fire Island	15”x24”	Gold	Striking red leaf stems. Avoid hot sun, as leaves may bleach out
First Frost	15”x36”	Blue with yellow to white margin	Bright yellow margin fades to white in summer	X
Fragrant Blue    F	20”x48”	Blue	First blue hosta with fragrant flowers! Pale lavender flowers in early August	X
Francee    S	20”x48”	Green with white margin	Attractive variegation holds up well all season. Grows relatively quickly	X
Gold Standard	22”x60”	Gold leaves with dark green margin	Forms a dense mound of bright foliage in a short period of time
Golden Tiara	15”x40”	Green with gold margin	Grows fast and has an excellent display of lavender flowers, even in shade
Halcyon	18”x40”	Blue-green	Thick, slightly wavy leaves and a good show of pale lavender flowers late July	X
Hudson Bay	20”x36”	Blue-green and white	Very wide, irregular blue margin	X
Invincible    S, F	20”x48”	Green	Shiny dark green leaves and fragrant pale lavender flowers in August
June    S	16”x30”	Gold with blue- green margin	Streaky margin. Best gold color with AM sun. Gold becomes lime green in shade	X
June Fever    S	16”x30”	Gold with blue- green margin	Like June in form, but gold color is more prominent and margin is much thinner	X
Love Pat	20”x50”	Blue-green	Cupped, powdery blue leaves become blue-green in summer. White flowers	X
Orange Marmalade	20”x36”	Gold with blue-green margin	New leaves emerge amber then turn creamy white with orange hues
Patriot    S	15”x36”	Green with white margin	Improved form of Francee with wider, crisp white margins
Prairie Sunset	20”x50”	Yellow with green margin	Long leaves have a thin margin. Near white flowers
Rhino Hide	20”x30”	Blue-green and yellow	Ultra thick, cupped and heavily textured leaves are held upright by thick stems	X
So Sweet    S, F	22”x50”	Green with white margin	Fast growing, with a superior display of fragrant pale lavender flowers in Aug	X
Striptease	20”x50”	Green and gold	Narrow leaves with a white “strip” between the leaf colors
Tidewater	20”x48”	Blue-green	Long, arching leaves held by stiff stems create a fountain-like effect
Whirlwind	18”x36’	Green and cream	Wavy and twisted leaves. White center variegation gradually turns green
Wide Brim	18”x45”	Blue-green with yellow to white margin	Fast growth rate and striking foliage colors

Large

Name	HxW	Leaf Color	Notes	Slug Resistant
Big Daddy	24”x60”	Blue-green	Thick, heavily corrugated leaves. Dense clusters of near-white flowers in June	X
Brother Stefan	24”x40”	Green and gold with dark green margin	Award-winner with stunning variegation. Give this beauty time to develop	X
Captain Kirk    S	24”x42”	Gold with blue- green margin	A relative of Gold Standard with wider blue margins and thicker leaves	X
Christmas Tree	24”x54”	Green with cream margin	Leaf margin emerges yellow. Cupped, round leaves have a great crinkly texture	X
Dream Queen	24”x48”	Blue-green and yellow	A smaller Great Expectations with bolder colors and more sun tolerance	X
Elegans	24”x60”	Blue-green	The “blue” standard! Thick, heavily corrugated leaves and dense clusters of near-white flowers in late June	X
Fire and Ice	24”x48”	White with green margin	The colors of Patriot in reverse! Leaves have heavy substance
Frances Williams	24”x60”	Blue-green leaves with gold margin	Popular, regal specimen
Great Expectations	28”x60”	Blue-green and yellow	Huge, broad, heavily corrugated leaves. Slow to establish – keep moist and feed	X
Guacamole    F	24”x54”	Green-yellow with dark green margin	Fast growing. Large, fragrant white flowers and gorgeous chartreuse leaves
Liberty	24”x48”	Blue-green with yellow to creamy white margin	New leaves have very wide yellow margins, becoming whiter as the centers become greener
Night Before Christmas	24”x60”	Green and white	Sharp color contrast between dark green margin and white center, even in shade
Olive Bailey Langdon	30”x60”	Blue-green leaves with gold margin	Heavier leaves are less likely to sunburn than Frances Williams
Plantaginea grandiflora    F	24”x60”	Green, shiny	Huge white, intensely fragrant, truly nocturnal flowers
Royal Standard    S, F	24”x60”	Green	Smaller, darker foliage and more flowers than H. plantaginea
Stained Glass    F	24”x54”	Gold	Bright gold color all season. Prominent veining creates stained glass effect	X
Sun Power    S	28”x70”	Gold	Wavy leaves become brighter gold in direct sun	X

Giant

Name	HxW	Leaf Color	Notes	Slug Resistant
Blue Angel	32”x72”	Blue	Elegant giant hosta. Will hold blue color best in full shade. White flowers in July	X
Earth Angel	32”x60”	Blue-green with creamy white margin	Leaves emerge blue with yellow margin, turning blue-green and white in summer. Pale lavender flowers in July
Empress Wu	48”x72”	Green with bluish cast	Colossal hosta with waxy, corrugated leaves	X
Key West	36”x72”	Gold	Slightly wavy leaves form a graceful mound
Krossa Regal	32”x72”	Blue	Classic vase-shaped hosta is a great specimen or background plant. Lavender flowers in Aug on 3-6’ stems - no pods!	X
Regal Splendor	32”x72”	Blue-green with creamy white margin	Impressive variegated vase-shaped form similar to Krossa Regal. Lavender flowers in Aug on 5’ stems	X
Sagae	34”x72”	Blue-green with creamy white margin	Vase-shaped form. Pale lavender flowers on 4’ stems in July	X
Sum and Substance    S	36”x72”	Gold-green	Legendary giant hosta with immense gold to gold-green leaves	X
Victory	36”x72”	Green with creamy white margin	Forms a huge mound of thick, wavy-edged leaves. White flowers on 7’ stems	X

Mini

Name	HxW	Leaf Color	Notes	Slug Resistant
Blue Mouse Ears	6”x10”	Blue-green	Thick, almost rubbery, rounded leaves. Violet flowers with lavender stripes	X
Church Mouse	8”x12”	Blue-green	Leaves are distinctly wavy with a lighter green margin. Lavender June flowers	X
Curly Fries	6”x16”	Green	Narrow leaves have a fun wiggly look
Dew Drop	6”x8’	Green with white margin	Leaves emerge chartreuse, changing to green. Lavender flowers mid-summer
Frosted Mouse Ears	6”x12”	Blue-green and cream	Thick, rounded leaves emerge with a wide yellow margin, turning cream
Mighty Mouse	6”x20”	Blue-green with cream margin	Thick, rounded leaves. Lavender flowers on short stems in June	X
Pandora’s Box	4”x6”	Blue-green and white	So cute and colorful with its wavy leaves and bright white variegation! Great accent in containers
School Mouse	6”x12”	Blue-green with creamy yellow margin	Wavy leaves twist to and fro. The creamy margin brightens to yellow in summer. Lavender flowers in June

HOSTA CARE
The main nemesis of hosta is the common garden slug, but preventative measures such as morning watering and applying a deterrent, such as Sluggo®, can be effective. In terms of nutrition, a low nitrogen 5-10-5 or 10-10-10 fertilizer applied in mid to late April can provide additional fertility to foster quicker growth. High nitrogen fertilizers can produce tremendous growth but may make the plants more susceptible to fungal or bacterial rot. Cut back and remove dead leaves in fall.