White Feather – small-sized Hosta … Shadowland® ‘Empress Wu’ bare root plants are available from Burpee. This is a follow-up to a post I wrote about earlier using Hostas as a border. Some sports are not good sports, and full-grown plants that are sports of another cultivar will occasionally revert in part back to taking on the appearance of their mother plants (some of us can only rebel against our mothers for so long, after all…). He bites back, in a sense, with thick leaves that are resistant to slugs. I think the hostas played a big part in that. I don’t know about you, but I have plenty of time for hostas. It doesn’t seem likely. Plants in quart-sized containers are available from Nature Hills. The foliage is thick with a cupped shape, and lavender flowers bloom in the summer. Whatever color you see personally when you look at these, or whatever memory you associate it with, there’s no doubt about it – ‘Halcyon’ is truly something special. There’s a lot of ocean imagery weaving its way throughout these descriptions, and I realize that. A 1997 winner of the American Hosta Growers’ Hosta of the Year award and a sport of ‘Francee,’ this is another standout. With a clumping habit and a compact form, this cutie is also tinier in stature, reaching a height of just 6-12 inches at maturity with a spread of 24-36 inches. Every experienced gardener knows how important foliage plants are in the garden. Hosta (Hosta ‘Dancing Queen’) Type Perennial Blooms Purple flowers in mid- to late summer, citron yellow, rippled foliage Light Part to full shade Size 16 to 18 in. She holds a BA in English literature from Swarthmore College as well as an MA in gastronomy from Boston University. But, June is an excellent Hosta and it is a sport of June so it should be a very good choice if it gets more shade. And it grows quickly, to boot! In late summer to early fall an awesome 2.5′ shaft … They carry plenty of historical significance with them as well, in name at least! Use them as specimens or accents on the shaded side of a shrub border … in bloom, 26 to … In Zones 3-8, this type reaches a moderate height and spread of 26-30 inches by 20-24 inches. Plant ‘Golden Tiara’ in Zones 4-8 for best results. I’d much prefer to guard my garden with more peaceful sentries, ones with heart-shaped, gently cupped green leaves bordered in white. There were many, many plants as this multiplies readily, and so the divisions were quite large. Large green leaves with chartreuse edges that look as if they were painted with watercolors are a standout feature of this cultivar, and they can grow to be over a foot each in either dimension! This particular ‘Patriot’ is not “true blue” but rather features glossy green leaves with large, bright white margins. As someone who had never eaten a curly fry until I entered high school and discovered that my cafeteria offered them daily, you better believe I made every effort to make up for lost time, with lots of Heinz ketchup on the side and a smile on my face. Winner of the Award of Merit granted by the American Hosta Society in 1997 (the second-highest honor awarded by this organization after the Benedict Medal for Garden Performance, named for noted hosta hybridizer Dr. Herb Benedict), this oldie-but-goodie is sometimes described as a vigorous but slow grower, while others claim it has a medium growth rate. It has been a very nice border, the plants mounding higher in the middle and lower on the edges. See the size of the hostas … Okay, I might need to go back to the drawing board on that one…. And that’s a pity, really. But the chartreuse, rippled, narrow leaves that this plant features will add a touch of whimsy to your garden space, whether you feel they’re worthy of their potatoey moniker or not. This is classified as a miniature because of the small leaf size. These mutants are our friends, beloved among members of the worldwide hosta fan club, and they are responsible for the development of new cultivars – sometimes. Paradigm Hosta has bright chartreuse streaked foliage with rich blue green margins. Her deeply veined (the plant’s, not the real-life empress’s), glossy green leaves with a tinge of blue when they sprout in the spring are 28 inches long and 25 inches wide, and she sports lavender flowers on short scapes that peek just above the leaves. By September, there is no burning or no damage from insects. I would love nothing more than for you to experience the peaceful woodland magic that hostas can bring to the garden. Named the 2010 Hosta of the Year by the American Hosta Growers Association, ‘First Frost’ also features pale lavender flowers that grow on tall 28-inch scapes. But they were always there, and they can hold a place as constant companions in your woodland garden as well. In the picture above these have been planted about 2 years but were large chunks of Hostas when I put them in the ground. Williams once discovered a variety that she thought was particularly special at a nursery in Connecticut in 1936. There is the added bonus of nice purple flowers in early July. The leaves burn because they need more water. My love for Hostas started a long time ago before I knew anything about growing anything, and Hostas were not in vogue. It may eventually be too large for a border on this bed, but the first 3 years were good. My love for Hostas started a long time ago before I knew anything about growing anything, and Hostas were not in vogue. The little border in the front of the bed is Blue Mouse Ears. Now, this also is in 3/4 shade so that helps with no burning or the frost in the fall. ‘June’ strikes me as the queen of the suburban housewives of the hosta bunch, prim and proper and very put together with a little sparkle that keeps your interest. Plant hostas with ferns, wildflowers, and shade perennials on the north side of a house or under the canopy of large trees. It is a superb mulch for any perennial bed. This cultivar reaches 12-20 inches in height at maturity with a spread of 32-36 inches and a medium growth rate. This  Vanilla Cream Hosta border on the south side of the gazebo, was divided and transplanted in the fall of 2014. Visit Us In South Hampton, New Hampshire Call us on 603-879-0085 Wish Lists She’s more diminutive in size than ‘Empress Wu,’ but her story is another one for the ages. These small Hostas are between 8″ and 14″ tall and are the perfect size for containers, raised beds and the front of the border. A sport of ‘Elegans,’ this is one of the best-known hosta cultivars. Hello, my name is Judi Ruedy and I have been a Master Gardener Volunteer for about 20 years and have been involved in a local garden club since 1975. I would suggest along the lawn/woods if you have a setting such as that. Plants are available from Nature Hills Nursery in #1 containers. Hard to say. Whether it's the swooping line of a tightly shorn boxwood leading to a dramatic sea view or the soft edge of hostas on the charming walkway to a poolside patio, plants are a natural choice for walkway edging and borders. … Unlike many other varieties, its large lavender to cream-colored flowers are highly fragrant, hence the name. I don’t feel with borders on Hosta beds that they have to go all around the whole bed, but can be part of the way and ending at a rock or another larger Hosta. About the second week of July I am rewarded with many, many dark purple flowers  that last for 1-2 weeks, depending on the weather. Thank you for checking out my website! Using the same plant throughout the border fosters a sense of continuity and visual harmony. Halcyon Hosta is a blue and once mature is quite a specimen. Small hosta are from 13" - 16" Tall. She also boasts a mounding habit, and is drought tolerant once established, in Zones 3-8. Pick your pleasure, from green and white to gold, or even blue, with spiky, heart-shaped, or mouse-eared foliage. As for the growth rate of this type, it’s somewhere down the middle. Hostas With Ferns. This is the first border I ever tried (above) was with Tiny Tears Hosta. In the shade the water doesn’t evaporate from the leaves so fast. If you’re tired of solid hues or even bicolors, this tricolor hosta is the answer. Most hostas do well in full to partial shade, and they’re not suited to hotter areas of the US. I created this website specifically for zone 4 Northern gardeners that need help finding perennials specific to their growing area. These hostas usually have a touch of Hosta plantaginea in their family tree. Dividing, Transplanting, and Moving Overgrown Hostas. It’s best suited to Zones 3-8. With lavender flowers, a mounding habit, a mature height of 12-22 inches, and a spread of 36-48 inches, ‘Patriot’ thrives in Zones 3-8. They are also fast growers and multiply rapidly. Plants and bare roots are available from Burpee. Maybe one of these smaller plants are the exact little extra oomph you need to fill a small space with big impact! GARDENER'S PATH® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. Use fine textures to balance hostas Not only does the foliage of ‘Reddy Maid’ Siberian iris contrast with that of ‘Regal Splendor’ hosta … Halcyon given 4 to 5 years gets to be a very large clump! Plants in #1 containers are available from Nature Hills Nursery. Hostas and water lilies for beautiful water garden design with stone borders. After all, like a room without baseboards, a garden without walkway borders … With thick, spear-shaped, textured leaves that are purportedly slug resistant, pale lavender flowers known to attract hummingbirds, and a mounding shape reminiscent of a spilling fountain, Nature Hills Nursery claims this is “one of the best hostas available.”. Glad you found my site and it has been good information for you to use! Instead, plant a few of these and you can gaze off into the middle distance while the spiky blue-green edged, creamy yellow leaves of ‘Magic Island’ wave in the breeze. Whether you’re looking for a smaller addition to the garden beds to add a pop of unexpected color and texture, or a large friend to provide cover for the sprites and elven folk, there’s a cultivar for you. Bare root plants are available from Burpee. #hostagoals. They spread out to fill in the soil areas between the plants. These ground covering hostas are Ideal for the rock gardens, borders or that hard to grow spot in your yard. But its unique hue reminds me of that of the Statue of Liberty, a well-aged green copper patina that some plant marketers apparently choose to describe as “ocean blue.”. Ours were unobtrusive, all of the same variety with leaves large enough for dolls or squirrels to use as shelters from the rain, and pale lavender flowers on tall stalks. And they’ll likely need some supplemental water during summertime heatwaves. You have shown such a lovely selection of Hosta and have displayed them so beautifully, Kudos to you. At maturity it will reach 12-15 inches in height with a spread of 36 inches, given the conditions that it likes best in Zones 3-9. As if its stunning, tiny, and thin green and gold heart-shaped leaves weren’t enough, ‘Golden Tiara’ is rather unique among hostas as a variety not only known for its profusion of dark lavender flowers, but for its ability to rebloom if it’s deadheaded after the first flush of blossoms. It is elegant looking with the large blueish leaves. If you’re a fan of hostas with those classic white-edged leaves, and you thought you had too much sunshine to make this beloved plant work in your space, ‘Francee’ is your friend. We all do, sometimes. A beautiful plant combination to brighten up a shaded corner of your garden. The Vanilla Cream entwines through the bed on the north,  as well as on the left side of the gazebo, on the south , and makes a border there too. In fact, the real Empress Wu Zeitan was the only female emperor to rule China, and she reigned long, long ago, during the Tang Dynasty. Will these leaves remind you of stylish hats strewn across the yard? by bluegrassmom: May 9, 2017 3:26 PM: 16: Daily Hosta #122 - 'Pixie Vamp' by ViolaAnn: Mar 26, 2017 2:55 PM: 2: And yet more from Ottawa, ON in May: G-L by ViolaAnn: May 22, 2015 9:49 PM: 6: A few from Ottawa, ON in May: A-C by ViolaAnn: May 18, 2015 9:23 AM: 3: Essential and recommended hostas… They are an old tough Hosta, but don’t like the sun too much. Pixie Vamp - My Favorite Of All. A sport of ‘Francee’ with an appearance similar to ‘Patriot,’ his thick leaves are a darker hue of green. And you don’t need to be on the Dutch East India Company’s payroll to be able to afford adding a few to your landscape. Pollinators will love his lavender flowers, and slugs will find it tough to munch through his thick leaves. During the time of the American Revolutionary War, the Minutemen pledged to take up arms at a moment’s notice, if and when it came to that. Share your photos and stories in the comments below, and feel free to reach out if you have any questions! Live a little, and make a few new friends in the wide world of hostas. These miniature hostas are less than 8 inches tall at maturity. Standard, even. Perennial Bed Border Using Hosta. I have been asked many times about some of my perennial beds that have one variety of Hosta planted as a border … Find ideas and recommendations for designing your Zone 4 shade garden. Hosta … This cultivar has a semi-upright, mounding habit. Known for its fragrant pinky-lilac flowers that the hummingbirds will love, with scapes soaring to 24 inches above the ground, ‘Color Festival’ is a drought tolerant variety best suited to Zones 3-8. If you were lucky enough to spend a good chunk of your childhood in a beautifully and lovingly landscaped garden like I did, with hand-built stone borders and slate paths, shaded by mature tulip poplar trees and filled with birdsong and butterflies, perhaps you’re no stranger to the dappled sunlight and full forested shade that’s perfect for growing bleeding hearts, astilbe, and hostas. This is one cultivar that I can’t say with certainty that I ever recall seeing in person (I’ve known a lot of hostas in my day, but I’m bad with names, and they have a tendency to mumble). The shade comes from large tall White Pine Trees that are over 100 years old. COPYRIGHT © 2020 ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. In a clump of hosta foliage, breeders will sometimes notice a leaf bud nestled in there that stands out from the rest. But if you capture a video of any of the local wildlife trying ‘Wide Brim’ on for size, please send us a clip! Zone: 4 – 9. She later married his son, then took control after he died, put her sons in charge, and then took them right back out of charge when she saw fit. Small hosta are great for filling in the front of a border… A sport of ‘Krossa Regal,’ this kingly cultivar has a similar habit, with blue-green leaves edged in yellow, and lavender flowers in late summer. And they’re ready for planting, in your own special outdoor space. You’ll have to be the judge when you purchase this one for your own garden. I love the way each leaf of this variegated cultivar is different. This hybrid cultivar that bears the name of the Hudson Bay adds a stunning touch of ocean blue-green to the garden with tricolor variegated leaves, and cream to lavender colored flowers in early summer. Huge selection of Hosta plants for sale, including the most popular leaf colors such as Blue Hosta, Yellow Hosta, and Variegated Hosta, as well as white flowered hosta, mini hostas, and giant hosta. It is a sport of June. Hosta ‘Fire and Ice’ ©Sunshine – stock.adobe.com. The Hosta  in the border is called Dew Drop that is a tiny little thing, with a very narrow white edge on small green leaves that will mound up in the center as they grow. Let’s break down some fabulous small hostas that work perfectly as borders to your garden. The Hostas have to compete with both the sun and shade as well as the roots of the trees. And it wears its heart on its (s)leaves, so to speak, as this is the shape that they have. Though hostas aren’t known for their flowers, there are a few fragrant standouts that the pollinators who visit your garden space will love. Give her five years, and she’ll grow to be a giant in Zones 3-9. Let us know in the comments below how you rate its pace! Create natural borders using small and miniature Hosta varieties. I have just in the past week or so posted a new article on the website on using Hostas as Borders in Perennial Beds so if you go into the Favorite Perennials site you can read what varieties I wrote about. The leaves have a heavy substance and bugs seem to stay away from them. And you’re not alone – this is a beloved H. fourtunei cultivar. This long border uses various cultivars of hostas, astilbes, and daylilies, left to right: Hosta ‘Salute’ and H. ‘Regal … Many offer multi-season interest with color changing leaves that put on a continual show right through to the fall, and white or lavender flowers. Choose vigorous, healthy hostas cultivars with the best chances for growing well in Texas. Best mini hosta to grow? Thank you, Bobbi. On the above picture, back left is Montana Aureo marginata, Center is Majesty, and then a border of Tiny Tears. A vigorous grower with a mature height and spread of 18 inches by 36-48 inches, ‘Francee’ has dark green and white heart-shaped foliage and tiny trumpet-shaped white to lavender flowers. Last updated: April 28, 2020 at 1:04 am. If you live in a growing zone that they like to call home, don’t you think it’s about time that you pick out the perfect shaded spot and plant a few? Bi-colored apple-green leaves edged in white aren’t the only thing to love about this cultivar. The broad, pointed leaves appear thick and … They are a sturdy Hosta and multiply fast, even faster than Tiny Tears. I hope all this helps you out. But even if you’re working with a tiny patio garden without a speck of naturally composted leaf litter in sight, if you’ve got a shady spot in Zones 3-11, the only question really is this: With various cultivars suited to spreading their leaves over wide swaths of the shaded landscape, miniature slow-growers that won’t take over, ground covers, and even plants that will do well in a special container on their own, there are so many gorgeous varieties of the genus Hosta to choose from. Rich garden soil may have the same effect. Plants reach 2-3 feet in height with an equal spread at maturity, with a medium growth rate. But who can resist a sea of blue-green hostas in landlocked Pennsylvania, or wherever you find yourself on a long summer’s afternoon? I planted a hosta in the front border where the afternoon sun gets things pretty warm till 8pm. With over 3,000 registered varieties to choose from, this is a sampling of 19 of my favorites. It does nicely in well-draining containers as a specimen plant, with small, pale lavender flowers in midsummer. This plant grows slowly and is best suited to Zones 3-9, perfect for filling in a large empty space in your garden. tall, 28 in. Pollinators like hummingbirds love these, and ‘Fragrant Bouquet’ will thrive in shaded gardens or areas with morning sun in Zones 4-11. I have grown them in almost full sun and they had very little burning. But its mounding form and clumping habit make it perfect for growing en masse to fill in wide swaths of your shaded landscape. These hardy, colorful, semi-evergreen foliage plants will brighten … But these are relatively effortless plants to grow otherwise, perennials that are suitable for division as they mature. Easy-to-grow, these attractive shade loving plants include flamboyant Tiger Lilies (Lilium lancifolium), the brilliant crimson … Burpee claims this is “very possibly the largest hosta you can buy.” And her claim to fame is a height of 3-4 feet with a spread of 5-6 feet. This is another Hosta that multiplies at a fast rate. Provide a little extra protection for this and similar cultivars during unexpected springtime cold spells to ensure healthy foliage later in the season. Plants in 4-inch pots or bare root plants are available for purchase from Burpee. This list of hosta companion plants will help you fill in those borders with other shade loving plants. With an arching mounded habit, and lavender flowers in the summertime, this tiny cultivar reaches a height of 6-16 inches and a spread of 12-18 inches. Keep an eye out for what’s known as “spring desiccation burn,” a condition known to plague blue-green and gold hostas with large leaves, like this one. The sun loving and shade plants have white and green or yellow and green leaves, purple and grayish white with green leaves … Originally responsible for the royal laundry, she was quickly promoted to the position of secretary to the emperor. Check out these growing guides next: © Ask the Experts, LLC. Not to mention the height and spread of this plant at maturity – we’re looking at 12-24 inches tall, with a 48 to 60-inch spread. 12 Perfect Plants for East Facing Borders Garden Design Containers Garden Tips Plant Perfect Edibles Life & Style View All While some plants love and need full sun and others require deep shade, many more blur these distinctive requirements by doing their best … Make sure hostas receive 1 inch of water a week from rain or the hose to get the best-looking foliage that doesn't have crispy edges. You won’t want to eat these (probably? Miniature Hostas Mini Hostas For That Small Space! This cultivar reaches 18-24 inches in height at maturity with a spread of 24 inches, and a quick growth rate. Its small habit makes it perfect for the front of the border … The mulch on this bed is pine needles from the White Pines. The foliage fades to yellow in the fall. Hostas are most often considered shade plants. Even if you don’t believe in fairies (gasp!) Next summer I will post another picture of these and you will be able to see how much they have grown. I have had June Fever for only 2 years now so don’t know a lot about how it will react to different conditions. Her work led to the formation of the American Hosta Society. While they have a lot of reasons to be grown they probably aren’t the best hosta … I’m not sure whether Henry Hudson caught a glimpse of any hostas during his travels in the early 1600s, before his ship the Discovery was trapped in the ice and his crew mutinied. It doesn’t seem to matter that they are near the sidewalk in the winter with the snow and all. It continued to grow and multiply and when I put it in a new bed with a dry creek bed and a bridge, I divided it and planted all those little plants along the edge about 2/3 of the way around  the bed. Taught to read and write as a child, which was particularly unusual for young girls at the time, she was known for her beauty and joined the royal court as a concubine to Emperor Taizong as a young teenager. This variety is known for being resistant to pests, with a medium growth rate. Because I don’t always have enough of one variety to border the whole bed, I only use what I have at the time, and maybe plant them up to a wall or edge of something else. Copyright FavoritePerennials.com and Judi Ruedy 2010-2019. Get it, girl. First Frost Plantain Lily. The soil is clay. See more ideas about hosta gardens, shade garden, shade plants. Pixie-Vamp-Hosta-happyygarden.com. I had a question asked to me about using the old green Lancifolia for a border. And I’m sure you can imagine all the fun you’ll have sharing stories with the neighbors about the piece of history that you have planted in the backyard. This hosta flowers mid-summer with light purple blooms. You can see the difference in the color of the greens and the blues of the Halcyon. With a south west exposure,  there may be some burning on these; however there are large shade trees that will help. The login page will open in a new tab. So much information out there on the web doesn’t apply to our colder growing climate, so I thought I would share my own findings here on this site. Hosta ‘Paradise Joyce’ hasn’t been available for years, but it really is one of the best.. Hosta ‘Eye Declare’, here with ‘Lynnhaven Carpet’ erigeron in the foreground and ‘Stainless Steel’ coralbells in the background, may be my favorite big hosta… They were grown in heavy soil in the center of the lawn, and not next to a building or sidewalk where the suns rays can be 10-15 degrees hotter when they reflect off other objects. Your flowerbeds are beautiful! I created this website specifically for zone 4 Northern gardeners that need help finding perennials specific to their growing area. This is a follow-up to a post I wrote about earlier using Hostas as a border. Ready to take your shade garden to the next level? The above picture has a border of Dew Drop that goes around to the house. Creative Ideas For Perennial Bed Borders Using Hostas. That’s per plant. So far, they have done well here. Some of these links may be affiliate in nature, meaning we earn small commissions if items are purchased. I’d like to say I narrowed this roundup down to my absolute top picks, but there were honestly too many fascinating varieties to choose just a few. You’d be hard-pressed to find a cuter name than ‘Blue Mouse Ears,’ and this little sweetie lives up to his name with a height and spread of just 6-8 inches, and round blue-green leaves. ‘Empress Wu’ isn’t messing around, and she has a commanding presence. I divided 3 large clumps just 1 year ago to make this border, and they are thriving. With too much sun exposure combined with high winds and freezing nighttime temperatures in early spring, gold sections lose their pigment, turning clear, drying out, and eventually dying. Best for Borders Hosta Hoosier Harmony, xl 9” deep pot A medium clumping Hosta with medium sized oval shaped lemon-lime green leaves light veining. These descriptions, and she has a commanding presence on the above picture has a border of Tiny Tears however. 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