Hostas are a quintessential shade garden plant, prized for their wide variety of leaf shapes, sizes, and colors. But just how many different types of hostas are there? The answer may surprise you – there are over 3,000 registered hosta cultivars!
A Brief Overview of Hostas
Hostas are herbaceous perennials that originate from northeast Asia They are prized for their attractive foliage that comes in different shades of green, blue, yellow, and white The leaves can be solid colored or variegated. Hostas grow in clumps from 6 inches to 4 feet tall, depending on the variety.
While they do produce flowers on tall scapes in mid to late summer hostas are grown primarily for their foliage. They thrive in shade and are hardy in USDA zones 3-9. Hostas are low maintenance have few pests, and spread slowly, making them excellent choices for shady borders, foundations, and pathways.
The Sheer Number of Hosta Varieties is Staggering
With over 3,000 registered cultivars, hostas offer an incredibly diverse selection for gardeners. New hybrids and sports are introduced each year, adding to the multitude of choices.
Hostas can differ in:
- Leaf size – from tiny 2 inch leaves to giant 4 foot leaves
- Leaf shape – oval, heart-shaped, narrow, wavy
- Leaf texture – smooth, corrugated, crinkled
- Leaf color – greens, blues, yellows, creams, whites
- Variegation – solid color or variegated in different patterns
- Growth habit – mound height and width
- Flower color
This incredible variety allows gardeners to find the perfect hosta for their specific needs. Tiny varieties like ‘Mouse Ears’ are ideal for troughs and containers. Giant hostas like ‘Empress Wu’ make a bold statement in the landscape. Hostas with colorful variegated foliage brighten up shady areas.
A Look at Some Popular Hosta Varieties
While there are thousands to choose from, some hosta varieties stand out for their outstanding ornamental qualities. Here are some of the most popular types:
‘Sum and Substance’
This extra-large chartreuse hosta grows up to 5 feet wide. Its bright golden foliage lights up shady areas.
‘Blue Angel’
With huge blue corrugated leaves growing up to 4 feet tall and 5 feet wide this hosta makes a dramatic statement in the garden.
‘June’
The graceful blue-green leaves with flowing yellow margins create a beautiful contrast on this medium-sized hosta.
‘Guacamole’
Thick blue-green leaves with a thin yellow border give this large hosta a subtler variegated look.
‘Fragrant Bouquet’
As the name suggests, this large green hosta is prized for its fragrant lavender flowers.
‘Patriot’
Dark green leaves with wide, irregular white margins make a bold statement in this mid-sized hosta.
‘Mouse Ears’
One of the smallest hostas, this compact variety has cute rounded blue-green leaves. Perfect for containers.
Tips for Selecting Hostas
With thousands of hosta varieties available, it can be daunting to choose the right ones for your garden. Here are some tips:
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Consider your site conditions – sun exposure, soil type, moisture. Some hostas tolerate more sun than others.
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Think about design intent and leaf color/texture combinations you want to achieve. Contrast is key!
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Select the right size hosta for the space. Check mature dimensions before buying.
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Look for slug resistant hostas if pests are a problem in your area. Thick leaves tend to be more slug resistant.
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Choose disease resistant varieties if possible. Look for hostas bred to resist common issues like leaf blight.
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Shop for hostas in spring when you can see the new season’s growth. This shows you the truest leaf color.
The Takeaway
With over 3,000 types of hostas to choose from, gardeners can find the perfect variety for any shady spot in the garden. Hostas come in an incredible range of shapes, sizes, leaf textures, and colors. By selecting hostas suited to your site and design goals, you can create stunning contrasts and interest in shady garden beds, borders, containers, and more. Hostas are some of the most diverse, versatile, and easy-care perennials for brightening up the garden.
Basic Types of Hostas
Most Hostas on the market today are complex crosses of multiple species. These crosses are best recognized by size and color. Savvy gardeners may recognize species of hosta like sieboldiana, H. elegans, or H. montana, but most Hosta varieties on the market are complex hybrids of two or more species.
Hosta leaf variegation terminology. Medio-variegation is variegation in the center of the leaf. Marginal variegation is variegation on the edge of the leaf. Hostas are one of the few plants where it is common to have both.
The American Hosta Society identifies five major color categories:
- Green
- Blue
- Gold
- Medio-variegated (light center, dark margin)
- Marginal Variegated (dark center, light margin)
Hostas are also classified into five defined sizes:
- Mini (less than 6” tall)
- Small (7-10” tall)
- Medium (11-18” tall)
- Large (19-28” tall)
- Giant (More than 28” tall)
Diamond Lake
Miss America
Empress Wu
Blue Mouse Ears
Diamond Lake – This large blue Hosta has a thick waxy coating and excellent slug resistance. It is among the best for holding its blue coloration late into summer.
Miss America – A large variety of multiple shades of green. Medium green margins jet into cream centers with light green streaking. Near white flowers are held high above the foliage on five-foot flowerscapes.
Empress Wu – This giant green variety is among the largest Hostas currently available. Leaves are individually giant to match the size of the plant. Use this variety as a space filler in the landscape.
Blue Mouse Ears – This mini blue variety is one of the best-known mini Hostas. Vigorous despite its small size, this variety is perfect for use along the front of the border. Lavender flowers are proportionate to the size of the plant.
Brother Stefan
Touch of Class
Dancing Queen
Silly String
Touch of Class – The first tetraploid elevation of a Hosta, with added vigor compared to diploid varieties. ‘Touch of Class’ impresses with intense blue leaves and chartreuse centers.
Dancing Queen – One of the most popular large gold varieties, emerging yellow from the start in spring.
Silly String – This unique hosta has narrow blue leaves with intensely wavy margins. Pale purple flowers top the plant for a perfect package. Great for containers or the front of the shade garden.
Hosta are the most popular and well-recognized perennial in North America.
Hostas have gained their popularity from fantastic foliage that provides interest throughout the growing season. They are adaptable, tough-as-nails plants capable of surviving in the toughest soils and shadiest locations.
One of the ways Hosta ascended in popularity is they can be easily split and shared. They can be dug up, divided, and replanted at almost any time during the year. This kind of plant is called a “friendship plant” because it’s easy to split and give a piece to a neighbor or friend.
There is also great variety in the genus, with large variations in color, size, variegation, and texture. Tens of thousands of different kinds of Hosta have been registered so far, and some collectors and nurseries have collections of several hundred or even a few thousand plants.
Hosta Types | Selecting and Growing Hostas | Prairie Yard & Garden 3703
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