10 Amazing Hostas

For new looks and better performance, check out these standouts from the past 10 years

Do you sleep with any gardeners who have both hostas — the green one and the motley one ? Sadly , the lack of knowledge some mass have about this astonishing genus is shocking . No other temperate woodland perennial provides more climatic adaptability , more diverse foliage shape , or a wider range of size . While a few great genus Hosta stand up the test of metre , most disappear from the market as speedily as they get , often due topoor garden performance mix with continuing improvement in foliation , texture , and vigor .

Each yr , the American Hosta Society transmit a Hosta Popularity Poll . The top 20 regular - size of it genus Funka and five miniatures , chosen from a list of over 6,400 registered cultivars , are vote on by the rank . Unlike clothing fashion , hosta favorites are boring to change ; hoi polloi are n’t usually unforced to replace old hostas with stylish new instauration each year , as they might do with clothes . In fact , the late crown result still include five genus Funka from the eighties , when the rankings began .

Since few Hosta from the last decade have made the Popularity Poll yet , I have produced a list of fresh cultivars that I feel are likely to become long - term favorite . This tilt includes several genus Funka with singular traits as well as others that but continue to lift the stripe for live form . Any one of them would be a great addition to your shade garden .

Hostaspp. and cvs.

Zones:3–9

atmospheric condition : Partial to full wraith ; moist , ample , well - drained grease

Propagation : Division in spring or lessen

Problems : Deer , slugs , snails

Eye-catching variegation enhances any leaf shape

‘Afterglow’

Introduced:2012

works size:2 feet magniloquent and 4 feet wide

leafage size:10 to 12 inches tenacious and wide

I like hostas that are so distinctive they ca n’t be mistaken for anything else , and‘Afterglow’fits the peak . This sport of ‘ Climax ’ forms an impressive 4 - foot - encompassing pitcher of foliage , with splendid leaf thickness and very wide-cut golden boundary . These lustrous edges get even wider as the foliage mature , so that from a space the plant appears to glow . Because of its wonderfully thick substance , foliar damage from pests is almost nonexistent .

‘Wheee!’

Plant size:12 to 18 inches tall and 30 inches wide

Leaf size:5 to 6½ inches long and 4 to 5 inch wide

‘ Wheee ! ’ , a variation of ‘ Leola Fraim ’ , is unquestionably one of the most unique hosta sports ever introduced . The parent was already edged in creamy blank , so the mutant here was one of dramatically increased leaf curliness . It look like someone has taken a curling iron to the leafage . In fact , ‘ Wheee ! ’ has the waviest parting of any hosta ever introduced and can not be mistaken for any other .

‘Miniskirt’

Introduced:2013

industrial plant size:5 to 7 inches tall and 12 to 14 inches wide

Leaf size:2½ to 3 inch farsighted and wide

If you are seem for the perfect illumination for a container or the front of a bed,‘Miniskirt’is a great convulsion . Although its genetic roots trace back to ‘ Blue Mouse Ears ’ , its sculptural leave with full , creamy livid edge are anything but mousy . This little dynamo has first-class vigor and unbelievable foliage heaviness .

Bright colors and standout flowers steal the show

‘Coast to Coast’

Introduced:2014

plant life size:30 inches tall and 36 inches wide-eyed

folio size:9 to 10 inches long and 7 to 8 inches extensive

The only solid gold - leafed hosta to make my list is’Coast to Coast’,which forms an vertical vase - regulate clump composed of thick , wavy , bright amber leaves . While it thrives in light-headed tone , this hosta can also take several hours of first light sun without leaf burn , as long as the soil does n’t get too dry . Its thick , corrugated foliage also helps this standout baulk idle damage .

‘Beyond Glory’

Introduced:2015

works size:16 column inch tall and 30 to 40 inches wide

leafage size:9 to 12 inches long and broad

Photo: courtesy of Walters Gardens Inc.

oculus - catch up with color is also the hallmark of‘Beyond Glory ’ , with its slimly bubble golden leaves abut with wide , dark green margins . This is a genetic mutation of ‘ Old Glory ’ , which has much narrower margins . It has the same great vigor in the undercoat as its parent , but with bring foliar contrast put up by the 3 - column inch - all-inclusive unripened perimeter that trim back each absolutely round foliage .

‘Branching Out’

Plant size:12 inches tall and 30 column inch wide

Leaf size:8 to 9 inches long and 5 to 6 inches wide

‘ Branching Out’is a Plant Delights instauration . Based on our enchantment with the prongy blossom scapes of daylily ( Hemerocalliscvs . , Zones 3–10 ) , we wanted to see if we could do the same with hostas . Developing this unique crossbreed took 16 years , from the first cross to its firing in 2015 . In previous summertime it couch on one of the most arresting , long - lasting flowered shows in the genus , with an abundance of pale flowers keep back on sturdy branched scapes above an attractive clump of glossy , pleat green leaves .

‘Afterglow’

Photo: courtesy of Walters Gardens Inc.

‘One Last Dance’

Introduced:2016

works size:16 to 18 inches marvelous and 36 to 38 column inch wide

Leaf size:10 to 12 inch longsighted and 6 to 8 inches wide

‘Afterglow’

Illustration: Carol Collins

A unripened - centered sport of the popular gold - go out ‘ saltation Queen’,‘One Last Dance’retains the great form , vigour , and turgid pointed leaf of its parent . It is the staring hosta for sum up a sense of cause to a fishy smear , with its softly rippled , corrugated leaves , each unambiguously adorn with an irregular fortunate margin . This hosta grows salutary with an hour or two of morning sun .

Cool blues are stately and serene

‘Wu La La’

Introduced:2019

Plant size:36 to 48 inch tall and 60 to 72 inches wide

Leaf size:18 to 20 inch long and 12 to 14 inches wide

‘Wheee!’

Photo: millettephotomedia.com

‘ Wu La La’is a mutant of the goliath , wildly democratic ‘ Empress Wu ’ . Its big , blue - light-green leaves are butt by wide yellow green margins . Although it does n’t grow quite as large as its parent , this arresting hosta induce a bluff , “ Do n’t miss me ” argument . It have at least five years to give full size under good growing condition , so patience is cardinal .

‘Diamond Lake’

Introduced:2018

industrial plant size:17 inches marvelous and 45 to 48 inches blanket

foliage size:9 to 11 column inch long and wide

‘Wheee!’

Illustration: Carol Collins

For decades , hosta breeder have been trying to make a large blue hosta with slurred , corrugated , wavy leaves . Hosta legend Hans Hansen achieved all these end with his creation‘Diamond Lake ’ . This elegant and substantial hybrid has beautiful powder - blue color and is sure to be a featured specimen in any woodland garden . In fat , moist soil , it will create a matured clump in three to five years .

‘Waterslide’

Introduced:2017

Plant size:14 inches tall and 32 inch broad

foliage size:6 to 8 in long and 3 to 4 inches encompassing

Photo: millettephotomedia.com

Most of the blue hostas sold have orotund , rotund , corrugated leaf , so‘Waterslide’—with its longsighted , pointed , wavy leaves — is a refreshing change . One of only two dreary - leafage hostas on my list , ‘ Waterslide ’ earned its place with its graceful form and frosty blue color that live on well into summer . It is an architecturally stunning plant whose clip has come .

Whether your hostas are old or newfangled , siting them in moist , rich soil with light shade or other aurora sun will acquire the in effect specimens . Providing these conditions will help you show off your hostas to their honorable effect .

| Good to Know|

‘Miniskirt’

Illustration: Carol Collins

How new hostas are “made”

Many pop hostas came into being as sports , naturally occurring mutation of survive cultivars . Genetically speaking , hostas are notoriously mentally ill . What often starts as a streaky folio on a nonvariegated thump can soon twist that plant into a Modern variegated jewel .

In the early 2000s , finding hosta sports became so democratic that those who engage in searching for Modern ace became known as summercater fisherman . Of the 10 hostas featured in this article , six are sports and four are newly make hybrids .

Tony Avent is the owner of Juniper Level Botanic Garden and Plant Delights Nursery in Raleigh , North Carolina .

‘Coast to Coast’

Photo: courtesy of Walters Gardens Inc.

Sources

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A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

‘Coast to Coast’

Illustration: Carol Collins

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‘Beyond Glory’

Photo: courtesy of Walters Gardens Inc.

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‘Beyond Glory’

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