Gorgeous Green Hostas with Striking Purple Blooms

Hostas are some of the most popular perennials for shady gardens, thanks to their wide variety of foliage colors, textures, and sizes. But while hostas are grown primarily for their leaves, many varieties also produce beautiful blooms on tall flower scapes in summer. If you want to add some punchy color to your hosta collection, look for ones with rich purple flowers to contrast with their verdant leaves. These striking plants are sure to be showstoppers in your garden borders and containers.

Why Grow Green Hostas with Purple Flowers

Most hosta varieties have pale lavender or white blooms that tend to blend into the foliage. But some special cultivars have been bred to have deeper, more vibrant purple flowers that really stand out. These dark blossoms look absolutely stunning paired with the green leaves, creating an eye-catching color combination.

The rich purple blooms also attract plenty of pollinators to your garden including hummingbirds, butterflies and bees. Watching these winged visitors flock to the blossoms provides great entertainment on a summer afternoon.

Finally, purple is the perfect accent color to complement the wide range of hosta foliage available. Whether you have blue-green, chartreuse, variegated, or even black leaves, the purple flowers will beautifully enhance the leaves.

Striking Varieties to Try

If you want to add some purple panache to your hosta collection. here are some top varieties to consider

Purple Sensation

This aptly named hosta features rounded, rippled green leaves and intense violet-purple bell-shaped flowers on 18-36 inch scapes The highly ruffled leaves have great texture, and the rich blooms are absolutely stunning, unlike anything else seen on hostas Be sure to give Purple Sensation a prominent spot where its flowers can be fully appreciated.

Roy Klehm

Roy Klehm has extra large blue-green leaves with slightly rippled edges. Its lightly fragrant purple flowers bloom in midsummer on 36 inch scapes above the cascading foliage. This imposing hosta makes a dramatic specimen plant.

Autumn Frost

A sport of the popular June hosta, Autumn Frost has chartreuse leaves with irregular yellow margins that light up shady areas. In summer, the foliage is topped with lightly scented purple blooms on 28 inch scapes. The glowing leaves and rich blooms make a beautiful combination.

Blue Angel

With huge blue-green corrugated leaves growing up to 36 inches long, Blue Angel is one of the largest hostas available. In mid to late summer, pale purple bell-shaped flowers appear on 5 foot stems. The enormous leaves and towering blooms make a spectacular display.

Guacamole

Guacamole is prized for its vibrant gold leaves with dark green margins. In summer, the foliage is complemented by tubular purple flowers on 30 inch scapes. The electrifying color scheme is always a hit.

Caring for Green and Purple Hostas

Hostas are some of the easiest perennials to grow, perfect for beginning and busy gardeners. Here are a few tips for success with green hostas that have purple blooms:

• Site: Hostas thrive in partial shade to full shade. Areas with morning sun and afternoon shade are ideal. Too much hot sun will scorch the leaves.

• Soil: Hostas tolerate a wide range of soil types, but rich, evenly moist soil will give the best growth. Add compost or other organic matter to improve drainage in heavy soils.

• Planting: Set out hosta divisions or potted plants in spring or fall. Space smaller varieties 12-24 inches apart and larger types 3-4 feet apart. The crown should be level with the soil surface.

• Water: Provide at least 1 inch of water per week from rain or irrigation during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Reduce to regular deep soakings for established plants.

• Fertilizer: In spring, work a balanced organic fertilizer like Plant-Tone into the top few inches of soil. Avoid high-nitrogen formulas that promote excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowers.

• Maintenance: Cut off spent flower stalks and any tattered foliage in midsummer. Divide crowded clumps in early fall every 3-5 years. Set slug bait as needed.

Designing With Green and Purple Hostas

Hostas are extremely versatile in the garden and make excellent companions to other shade-loving perennials, shrubs, and trees. Here are some ideas for incorporating green hostas with fabulous purple blooms in your landscape:

• Plant in drifts in woodland gardens and shady borders. Use the larger growing purple varieties as bold focal points.

• Display smaller purple hostas in containers on patios, decks, and porches to bring color to shady sitting areas.

• Surround purple hostas with blue or silver foliage plants like ajuga, brunnera, lamium, and pulmonaria for cool color combinations.

• Underplant purple hostas with white, pink, or red shade perennials like astilbe, coral bells, and turtlehead for vibrant color echoes.

• Nestle hostas with purple flowers under Japanese maples, birch trees, and dogwoods where they will resemble colorful understories.

• Edge pathways, patios, and foundations with low-growing purple hostas like Blue Mouse Ears.

• Mass in shady sections of rock gardens, cottage gardens, and perennial borders.

• Use hostas of different sizes and purple hues together for colorful, textural appeal.

Time to Add Purple!

If you want to energize the shady areas of your landscape with vibrant pops of color, look no further than hostas with rich purple blooms. Their stunning blossoms and easy care make them perfect additions to borders, containers, and more. It’s time to start collecting these beauties for your garden!