Finding Beautiful Giant Hostas for Sale Locally

As a devoted shade gardener, I’m always on the hunt for stunning new giant hosta varieties to add visual impact to my landscape. If you love hostas as much as I do, you know that their huge leaves and towering sizes make a dramatic statement in the garden. While you can find some giant hostas at local nurseries, tracking down the newest and rarest titans requires checking out specialist online retailers that ship directly to you.

In this article, I’ll highlight beautiful giant hosta varieties and share tips on finding top selections available for sale online and in your area. With so many impressive giant hostas to choose from, you’ll be sure to discover some exciting new specimens for your own shady plots!

What Makes Hostas “Giant”?

Before diving into specific examples, let’s define what makes a hosta qualify as a “giant” variety. Most hosta grow in sizes ranging from petite dwarfs under 7 inches up to large types reaching about 28 inches tall and wide.

Giant hostas exceed these dimensions generally with

• Heights over 28 inches tall
• Widths over 3 feet across
• Massive leaves spanning over a foot long!

These enormous proportions make giant hostas true specimen plants that command attention. Let’s explore some of the most magnificent giant hosta varieties you can find.

Online Giant Hosta Selections

Specialty mail-order nurseries offer extensive selections of rare and exciting giant hostas Here are some of my favorite varieties available for sale online

• Empress Wu – Reaching an incredible 4-5 feet tall and wide with imposing smokey-blue leaves up to nearly 2 feet long

• Blue Angel – A classic giant with blue-green color and a mature size of 30 inches high x 6 feet across.

• Komodo Dragon – This behemoth has heavily rippled and corrugated leaves growing over 3 feet long on 30 inch tall clumps.

• Seducer – Bright yellow leaves and reddish petioles distinguish this giant, which achieves heights over 40 inches.

• Sum and Substance – One of the most well-known giants, it forms huge 30 inch mounds of chartreuse to golden leaves.

Online retailers like Pine Forest Gardens offer an extensive selection of these and many other giant hosta varieties, with sizes guaranteed so you get an impactful specimen. You can browse their entire selection of giant hostas for sale here. Buying online is perfect if you’re looking for something unique and rare.

Locating Giant Hostas at Local Sources

For those who prefer seeing plants in person before purchasing, check with reputable nurseries in your area to find available giant hostas for sale:

• Independent nurseries – Ask specialty nurseries about giants they plan to stock this season or might have in stock. The staff can guide you to beauties suited to your zone.

• Farmers markets & plant sales – Markets and community plant sales sometimes carry harder-to-find giant hosta varieties at excellent prices. Chat with vendors about offerings.

• Garden centers – While selection is hit-or-miss, big box garden centers and nursery chains may stock popular giants like Blue Angel or Sum and Substance seasonally.

• Local swaps – Check for hosta swaps on community event calendars or gardening forums to trade plants with others.

When buying locally, time your shopping early in the season before inventories sell out. Also be sure to thoroughly check over plants for any signs of defects or disease before purchasing.

Look for Healthy, Established Plants

Whether buying online or from a local source, keep an eye out for plants with these signs of health and vigor:

• Firm, upright leaves without wilting or browning
• Established root system or well-rooted pots if container grown
• No evidence of leaf damage from pests or disease
• Compact, symmetrical growth habit

Mature giant hosta plants with several years of growth offer the most impressive immediate impact. But younger starter plants can also grow quickly into specimens with proper care.

Caring for Your New Giant Hostas

Once you get your new giant hostas home:

• Plant them in a prepared garden bed amended with organic matter. Or keep in a container.

• Water thoroughly after planting and water regularly to establish roots.

• Apply a balanced fertilizer a few weeks after planting.

• Add mulch around the plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

• Stake larger varieties if needed to anchor leaves.

• Divide overcrowded clumps every few years to rejuvenate growth.

With the right growing conditions and care, your giant hostas will continue increasing in size and make an unforgettable statement in your landscape. Their huge proportions stop visitors in their tracks!

I hope these tips help you track down beautiful and rare giant hostas for your own garden. Please reach out if you need any other advice on sourcing or growing these dramatic specimen plants. I wish you success in finding your perfect giants!