Hostas or plantain lilies are long-lasting perennials that love the shade.Their beautiful leaves, low-maintenance and resilience to harsh weather have made them a favorite with gardeners. Though they are not grown for their flowers, there are flowering and fragrant varieties that would charm you with their looks and smells. The plants come in a variety of sizes, colors, leaf shapes and textures, so you can choose the types that best suit the design of your garden and your taste.
1. Whirlwind
The leaves of this hosta change colors throughout the season. The heart-shaped, wavy leaves of this plant are a sight to behold in any garden landscape.
Height/Width: 18-20 inches; 35-40 inches
Colors: Creamy white or lime with dark green margins
Sunlight Requirement: Partial to full shade
USDA Zone: 3-8
2. Halcyon
This popular hosta with spear-shaped, thick, waxy leaves is a slow-grower.They grow more slug-resistant with age. Late summer sees lilac-blue flowers bloom.
Height/Width: 18-24 inches; 30-36 inches
Colors: Blue-green
Sunlight Requirement: Partial to full shade
USDA Zone: 3-8
3. Frances Williams
The wide, yellow-green margins of its leaves make this hosta stand apart from the others.The pale lilac flowers that appear in summer attract hummingbirds. They grow well in big containers.
Height/Width: 18-19 inches; 47-48 inches
Colors: Blue-green
Sunlight Requirement: Partial to full shade
USDA Zone: 3-9
4. August Moon
The heart-shaped, green-gold leaves of this hosta turn bright yellow with sun exposure. Hence its name.White to pale lavender flowers appear in summer.
Height/Width: 24-25 inches; 24-36 inches
Colors: Yellow-green
Sunlight Requirement: Partial to full shade
USDA Zone: 3-8
5. Alligator Alley
The leathery, puckered, heart-shaped leaves are the main attraction of this hosta.It is a great choice for beds, containers, patios, borders and edging.
Height/Width: 1-3 feet; 2-3 feet
Colors: Yellow-green, blue-green
Sunlight Requirement: Partial sun to full shade
USDA Zone: 3-9
6. Hyacinthine
The green leaves with creamy edges are slightly puckered.Lavender flowers bloom in mid-late summer on scapes that are slightly bent.
Height/Width: 1-2 feet; 1-2 feet
Colors: Blue-green, gray-green
Sunlight Requirement: Full-partialsun, shade
USDA Zone: 3-8
7. Autumn Frost
The bright yellow margins of its green leaves make this hosta variety stand apart from the others.On maturity, the yellow color turns into creamy white. The plant makes for an attractive groundcover and is a great choice for containers.
Height/Width: 10 inches-1 foot; 1-2 feet
Colors: Blue-green
Sunlight Requirement: Partial-full shade
USDA Zone: 3-9
8. American Halo
The wide, rippled creamy white margins of the leaves of this hosta is an instant attention grabber.The dramatic color of its foliage makes it an excellent attention grabber to any landscape. The hardy, low-maintenance is an excellent choice for beds and groundcovers.
Height/Width: 1-2 feet; 5-6 feet
Colors: Intense blue-green
Sunlight Requirement: Partial-full shade
USDA Zone:3-8
9. Geisha
The elongated, glossy leaves of this hosta are twisted towards the top. Their olive green margins lend a unique look to the foliage. Late summer sees the blooming of star-shaped pale white flowers.
Height/Width: 1-2 feet; 2-3 feet
Colors: Golden-yellow
Sunlight Requirement: Partial-full shade
USDA Zone:3-9
10. Undulata
The wavy-margined leaves have creamy markings that lend a cheery touch to shady gardens. Youcan fill it along a bed edge provided that it is shorter than the plants behind it.
Height/Width: 1-3 feet; 1-2 feet
Colors: Green
Sunlight Requirement: Partial-full shade
USDA Zone:3-9
1. Silver Threads and Golden Needles
This mini hosta has heart-shaped leaves with dull yellow edges. The centers are mainly green with a touch of white and chartreuse. Their colors vary with the light conditions. 4-5 hours of morning light is perfect for the plant. It prefers well-drained soils.
Height/Width: 5-6 inches; 11-12 inches
Colors: Green and yellow
Sunlight Requirement: Highly filtered or dappled sunlight
USDA Zone: 3-8
2. Blue Mouse Ears
The dependable variety of hosta has distinctive thick, round leaves. They grow effortlessly and boast of slug-resistance.
Height/Width: 4-5 inches;8-9 inches
Colors: Blue
Sunlight Requirement: Partial-full shade
USDA Zone: 3-8
3. Baby Bunting
The reliable clumper has heart-shaped blue leaves. It quickly forms an attractive mound in a woodland garden or any other place that doesn’t get direct sunlight. The good edging plant bears bright purple flowers. It is easy to maintain and prefers well-drained moist soil.
Height/Width: 6-8 inches; 12-18 inches
Colors: Blue-gray, dark green
Sunlight Requirement: Partial to full shade
USDA Zone: 8-9
4. Stiletto
The lance-shaped green leaves with narrow white edges and a pronounced ripple effect would draw your attention to this plant. You can use it to line a path as it quickly clumps and can be easily divided for further planting.
Height/Width: 10 inch-1 foot;2-3 feet
Colors: Medium green
Sunlight Requirement: Full-partial sun
USDA Zone:3-8
5. Gracillima
The lance-shaped, glossy leaves of this mini hosta would easily catch your eyes. Funnel-shaped lavender-blue flowers with purple stripes appear in late summer and fall.
Height/Width: 4-5 inches; 10 inch-1 foot
Colors: Deep green
Sunlight Requirement: Partial sun-shade
USDA Zone:3-8
6. Marrakech
This exotic hosta has rippled, lance-shaped leaves. While the top side of the leaf is green, the bottom side is white. The excellent bloomer showcases pink flower stalks and buds that bloom into lavender flowers.
Height/Width: 11-12 inches;33-34 inches
Colors: Yellow-green
Sunlight Requirement: 4-5 hours of morning light
USDA Zone:3-8
7. First Mate
The low-maintenance plant bears star-shaped, lavender flowers. The yellow centers of the leaves add more color to your patio. You would be bowled over by the stunning variegated foliage of this small hosta.
Height/Width: 9-10 inches; 1-2 feet
Colors: Cream yellow,Blue-green
Sunlight Requirement: Partial-full shade
USDA Zone: 3-9
8. June
The dense mound of large, irregular-shaped leaves is a striking characteristic of this plant. Lavender flowers bloom in late summer.
Height/Width: 6-10 inches; 16-20 inches
Colors: Lime green, gold
Sunlight Requirement: Partial-full shade
USDA Zone:3-8
9. Coconut Custard
The wavy leaves and purple petioles of this plant add movement and life to a corner of your garden. You can place it on a high platform enabling one to appreciate the beauty of the colored petioles.
Height/Width: 4-6 inches;11-12 inches
Colors: Pale yellow
Sunlight Requirement: Full sun to partial shade
USDA Zone:3-8
10. Tiny Tears
You can use this beautiful plant to decorate your fairy garden. The tiny leaves form a dense mat with time. The lavender flowers further enhance the looks of this reliable and easy-to-grow plant.
Height/Width: 2-3 inches;5-6 inches
Colors: Green
Sunlight Requirement: Full sun-partial shade
USDA Zone:5-6
11. Blueberry Tart
The arrowhead-shaped, slightly folded leaves of this hosta variety make it unique. The large leaves are quite repelling to slugs.
Height/Width: 7-8 inches;19-20 inches
Colors: Bluish-green
Sunlight Requirement: Partial sun, filtered shade, morning sun
USDA Zone:7-9
12. Dragon Tails
Very narrow, rippled leaves make this small hosta stand apart from the others. So plant it in a spot where the clump of rippled leaves can be fully showcased. It looks stunning with black gravel or mulch in the background.
Height/Width: 3-4 inches;9-10 inches
Colors: Chartreuse to Bright Yellow
Sunlight Requirement: Full sun
USDA Zone:4-10
13. Little Caesar
You are likely to get bowled over by the charisma of the lance-shaped leaves with a white center that is widely bordered with green.
Height/Width: 4-5 inches;1-2 inches
Colors: Medium green
Sunlight Requirement: Partial-full shade
USDA Zone:3-8
14. Little Treasure
This miniature hosta is the best for tucking between the rocks, between the roots or in the knotholes of trees in woodland gardens. Its slightly twisted leaves lend it the look of a tropical plant.
Height/Width: 5-6 inches;10-11 inches
Colors: Blue-green and white
Sunlight Requirement: Full sun-partial shade
USDA Zone:12-13
1. Sum and Substance
The heart-shaped leaves of this large and popular plant are glossy and have a deep texture. Late summer sees fragrant bell-shaped flowers bloom at the end of 38” stalks.
Height/Width: 2-3 feet ; 6-7 feet
Colors: Yellow to golden
Sunlight Requirement: Full sun topartial shade
USDA Zone: 5-10
2. Empress Wu
The gargantuan size of this hosta makes it stand out in the landscape with a clump that is hard to miss.Flowers appear in mid-summer on 54-inch tall stalks.
Height/Width: 48-49 inches; 70-71 inches
Colors: Dark green
Sunlight Requirement: Partial to full shade
USDA Zone: 3-9
3. Sagae
The thick, wrinkled leaves of this large plantain lily variety unfurl in a striking blue hue with wavy white margins.It is a slug-resistant type of hosta that takes 5 years to reach maturity.
Height/Width: 30-31 inches ; 70-71 inches
Colors: Blue
Sunlight Requirement: Full shade
USDA Zone: 4-10
4. Great Expectations
The thick, corrugated leaves of this large hosta put up a spectacular show during the growing season with its change of colors and make the plant slug-resistant.The depth of the colors depends on the intensity of light. The large leaves look pretty with a blue-green border.
Height/Width: 19-20 inches ; 40-41 inches
Colors: Chartreuse, yellow and white
Sunlight Requirement: Full sun-partial shade
USDA Zone: 3-9
5. Sun Power
The wavy oval leaves of this plant look charming under the pale-lavender flowers in mid-summer.You’ll want to put this specimen at the front or center of your yard where everyone can appreciate its resplendent color.
Height/Width: 24-28 inches ; 36-37 inches
Colors: Bright yellow
Sunlight Requirement: Full sun
USDA Zone: 3-8
6. Elegans
The heavily corrugated, heart-shaped, thick-textured, large leaves make this hosta a stunner in your garden. The slow grower bears mostly white flowers with a violet tinge.
Height/Width: 30-31 inches ; 5-6 feet
Colors: Blue
Sunlight Requirement: Light shade
USDA Zone: 3-8
7. Blue Angel
Thick and heavily-textured leaves are the highlight of this plant. It can tolerate the morning sun but not in areas that experience hot summers. Funnel-shaped lavender flowers bloom in summer.
Height/Width: 36-37 inches; 72-73 inches
Colors: Blue-green
Sunlight Requirement: Partial-full shade
USDA Zone: 3-8
8. Komodo Dragon
The big, deeply-veined leaves of this huge plant look magnificent. Funnel-shaped pale lavender flowers appear in summer. Slugs and snails love it, so keep an eye out for them.
Height/Width: 2-3 feet ; 6-7 feet
Colors: Bluish-green
Sunlight Requirement: Partial-full shade
USDA Zone: 3-9
9. Crispula
The creamy markings on the green leaves of this curled hosta make it stand apart. The wavy leaves make the plant an excellent groundcover, especially in shady areas. Funnel-shaped pale lavender flowers bloom in early summer.
Height/Width: 2-3 feet; 6-7 feet
Colors: Dark green
Sunlight Requirement: Partial sun-full shade
USDA Zone: 3-8
10. Montana
The edible plant can be grown in woodland gardens. The bright gold margins lend an exotic look to the green leaves. There are also gold streaks on the midrib. The pretty leaves arch towards the ground.
Height/Width: 2-3 feet ; 2-3 feet
Colors: Green
Sunlight Requirement: Full shade
USDA Zone: 7-8
1. Royal Standard
This is among the rare varieties of hostas that have no margins. Since its white, waxy flowers are fragrant, they are best grown near living areas andpatios in containers and beds.
Height/Width: 18-24 inches ; 36-60 inches
Colors: Bright green
Sunlight Requirement: Light shade
Blooming Season: Late summer to fall
USDA Zone: 3-8
2. Plantaginea
This hosta is grown for its highly fragrant, large white flowers.The species can form a dense ground cover when it is not in its blooming season. The glossy, heart-shaped leaves are a beautiful accompaniment to the flowers.
Height/Width: 12-18 inches; 2-3 feet
Colors: Medium green
Sunlight Requirement: Partial to full shade
Blooming Season: Late summer
USDA Zone: 3-9
3. Fragrant Blue
The combination of heart-shaped leaves and light lavender flowers look stunning on this plant.It lends dramatic texture and color to shaded beds and borders.
Height/Width: 10-12 inches ; 35-36 inches
Colors: Blue-green
Sunlight Requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Blooming Season: Mid-summer
USDA Zone: 5
4. Fragrant Bouquet
The rapid grower produces extremely fragrant, white flowers with a light blue tinge. The broad leaves have wide, irregular, light yellow edges.
Height/Width: 18-19 inches ; 24-25 inches
Colors: Apple-green
Sunlight Requirement: Partial to full shade
Blooming Season: Summer
USDA Zone: 3-8
5. Guacamole
The exceptional color and lovely scent of its big white blooms are the star attractions of this hosta. The oval leaves have gold tinges and streaks towards the center. The plant grows in overlapping mounds.
Height/Width: 24-25 inches ; 54-55 inches
Colors: Yellow-green
Sunlight Requirement: Partial shade
Blooming Season: Summer
USDA Zone: 3-8
6. So Sweet
The glossy green leaves of this plant have wide, white margins. Its compact size makes it perfect for edging a shady garden. It is also suited for containers. The flowers are large and white.
Height/Width: 25-26 inches ; 60-61 inches
Colors: Medium green
Sunlight Requirement: Partial to full shade
Blooming Season:Mid-late summer
USDA Zone: 3-8
Hostas for Sun
Hostas thrive in shady conditions. They tend to lose their lushness or even burn and turn yellow or brown in prolonged sunny conditions.But a few species cannot only tolerate the full sun but also turn vibrant and colorful under such conditions. Here is a list of hostas that can survive in the sun.
The reliable and easy-to-grow plants are known for their long life. So don’t be surprised if they outlive the gardener! Additionally, you can eat them! According to the Guardian, any hosta is edible,hosta montana being the most popular edible variety. However, it would be poisonous to your dog.But that doesn’t stop deer from devouring your favorite shade garden plant. So it would help if you took adequate precautions to keep the leafy plant away from these animals.
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