Although hostas aren't generally fickle to begin with, some are easier to grow than others. Here are seven low-care beauties to grow in your yard.
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Patriot Hosta
It’s easy to see how this highly popular hosta earned its accolades, with a beautiful mounded shape and dark green lance-shaped leaves edged in glowing ivory. ‘Patriot’ grows 12 to 18 inches tall and 24 to 30 inches wide, and is heat resistant if kept mulched and watered. It features lavender flowers in late summer, and thrives in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 3 to 8.
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Elegans Hosta
‘Elegans’ hosta is aptly named for its elegance in the shade garden with its regal, heart-shaped blue-green leaves. Along with their rich color which deepens to green as the summer wears on, the leaves feature interesting texture, with heavily corrugated ribbing that makes a nice backdrop for the white flowers tinged in lavender. ‘Elegans’ grows two to three feet tall and three to four feet wide. It’s is a slug-resistant hosta that does best in dry shade in Zones 4 to 9.
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Halcyon Hosta
Like its name suggests, ‘Halcyon’ hosta is a fitting plant to add to the idyllic perennial garden of one’s dreams. Forming a perfect mound of beautiful blue foliage, it looks good all season if provided enough shade to keep its waxy blue hue intact. Then in mid-to-late summer, this slug-resistant hosta outdoes itself with pale lilac flowers. ‘Halcyon’ can grow 18 to 24 inches tall and 30 to 36 inches wide in Zones 3 to 8.
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Sun Power Hosta
No hosta likes full sun, but as the name suggests ‘Sun Power’ has more staying power against the rays, especially if it’s mulched and watered. One of the toughest landscaping plants, ‘Sun Power’ features yellow-green leaves which look their brightest when given a few hours of sunlight, preferably in the morning when it’s less intense. It grows about two feet tall and three to four feet wide, boasting light lavender flowers, and does best in Zones 3 to 8.
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Blue Mouse Ears Hosta
This cute hosta takes a back seat to the giants as a focal point, but makes an outstanding edging or even container plant. Growing just six inches tall and one foot wide, this hosta boasts a thick, symmetrical mound of soft gray-blue foliage. The slightly curled, heart-shaped leaves are topped by lavender flowers in summer. ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ thrives in Zones 3 to 8.
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Coast to Coast Hosta
Selected as the Hosta of the Year back in 2020, Shadowland ‘Coast to Coast’ is a giant clump-forming beauty with striking gold leaves and pale violet flowers. The thick, puckered leaves have unique wavy edges and hold up better to wind and slugs. The gold coloring is boldest when ‘Coast to Coast’ gets some morning sunlight. It grows about 30 inches tall and three feet wide in Zones 3 to 9.
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Frances Williams Hosta
One of the best-known cultivars of hosta, ‘Frances Williams’ features heart-shaped blue-green leaves with irregularly shaped gold borders. The variegated leaves really stand out in shade, especially when joined by white flowers in summer. ‘Frances Williams’ grows 18 to 24 inches tall and an impressive four to five feet wide. Its thick, puckered foliage is less prone to slugs and wind damage than other hostas, thriving best in Zones 3 to 8.
FAQs
How many types of hostas are there?
“There are thousands of hostas to choose from,” Sons says. “When I add to my collection, I tend to choose those with the most dramatic variegation.”
Are all hostas shade plants?
Yes, all hostas are known as shade plants, but some can handle more sun than others, especially those with thicker leaves or golden foliage. However, even sun-tolerant types prefer protection from harsh afternoon rays.
About the Expert
Tammy Sons is a seasoned plant expert and the CEO of TN Nursery, a family-owned business in Altamont, Tennessee, with roots dating back to 1959. Over the years, Tammy has expanded TN Nursery to encompass nearly 400 acres of availability from other growers and her own farm.
