Hostas are some of the most popular perennial plants for shady areas With their wide variety of leaf shapes, sizes, and colors, hostas provide beautiful foliage and often charming flowers in the shade garden If you’re looking for inspiration on using hostas in garden design or just want to see the range of these lovely plants, you’ll enjoy browsing this photo gallery.
Hostas are native to northeast Asia including Japan, Korea and northeast China. There are now over 45 species and thousands of cultivated varieties. The common name “hosta” comes from the scientific name Hosta, named for Austrian botanist Nicholas Thomas Host.
These herbaceous perennials emerge in the spring with new shoots and unfold their leaves. The foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season. Then in mid to late summer, hostas produce spikes of bell-shaped or tubular flowers in white, lavender, or violet. After flowering, the foliage dies back in autumn.
Hostas grow from rhizomes or clumps that spread to form attractive clusters. They are extremely hardy and cold tolerant. Hostas thrive in USDA zones 3-9.
While often considered just a “shade plant,” hostas tolerate anything from full sun to deep shade, depending on the variety. They prefer moist, organically rich soil and regular watering. With the right growing conditions, hostas are easy to grow, pest and disease resistant, and low maintenance.
The Many Sizes, Shapes, and Colors of Hosta Leaves
One of the delights of hostas is the incredible diversity found in the genus. Hosta leaves come in a wide range of sizes, from giant leaves over 2 feet long down to tiny thumbnail-sized leaves under an inch.
Leaf shapes also vary from narrow grassy leaves to nearly round, deeply corrugated, heart-shaped, spear-shaped, and more. The leaf edges may be smooth or ruffled.
Hosta plants may have solid green or blue-green leaves. But many feature variegated foliage with streaks, margins, or centers in creamy white, yellow, or blue-gray. Some have a grayish “glaucous” bloom that makes the leaves appear bluish.
Hosta Flower Color
While valued mostly for their ornamental foliage hostas do bloom in summer. The tubular or bell-shaped flowers are borne on tall scapes arising from the base. Flower color ranges from pure white to violet-purple with some bi-colors. Fragrance can be sweet or spicy.
Some types have particularly showy, long-lasting flowers. For example, the fragrant white flowers of ‘So Sweet’ or the lavender blooms of ‘Blue Angel’ are real standouts.
Using Hostas in Garden Design
Hostas are ornamental plants that work beautifully in many garden situations. Here are some of the most popular ways to use hostas:
- Mass plantings or sweeps of one variety create a bold foliage statement.
- Mix heights, leaf shapes and colors for contrast and interest.
- Use giant varieties as specimen plants or focal points.
- Combine with ferns and other shade plants like astilbe and bleeding heart.
- Underplant shrubs and small trees.
- Edge a woodland path or shade garden.
- Grow in containers on a shady patio or deck.
- Add color and texture around water features.
Now let’s look at pictures of many delightful hosta varieties to inspire your shade gardening!
Hosta Photo Gallery
Large and Giant Varieties
These hostas make a big statement in the garden. They grow 18 inches or larger:
![Big Daddy hosta with giant blue corrugated leaves][]
‘Big Daddy’ has huge corrugated blue-green leaves.![Blue Angel hosta with fragrant lavender flowers][]
‘Blue Angel’ has fragrant light purple flowers.![Large green Sum and Substance hosta][]
‘Sum and Substance’ is known for its chartreuse golden leaves.![Giant hosta with puckered blue-green leaves][]
‘Empress Wu’ is the largest hosta, growing up to 5 feet across.
Medium to Large Hostas
Ranging from about 1 to 2 feet tall and wide, these hostas make excellent garden specimens: ![Variegated Patriot hosta with white edges][]
The popular ‘Patriot’ has dark green leaves with irregular white margins.![Green hosta with purple flowers][]
‘August Moon’ has showy light purple blooms.![Green and white variegated hosta][]
‘Francee’ features green leaves edged in white.![Blue hosta with corrugated foliage][]
‘Halcyon’ has striking blue, deeply veined leaves.
Small to Miniature Hostas
For smaller spaces or edging, choose one of these petite hostas under 12 inches tall:![Tiny hosta with blue rounded leaves][]
‘Blue Mouse Ears’ is a cute miniature under 6 inches tall.![Small yellow hosta with green edges][]
‘Sun Power’ features chartreuse leaves with green margins.![Mini hosta with thin white-edged leaves][]
‘Fire and Ice’ is a small hosta with red petioles and white leaf edges.![Dainty light green hosta][]
‘Devil’s Eye’ is a compact mound less than 8 inches tall.
Variegated Hostas
The beautiful variegated varieties showcase white, yellow or blue margins, centers, or streaks:![Hosta with yellow leaf centers][]
This hosta has chartreuse centers and green margins. ![White streaked foliage of hosta][]
‘Praying Hands’ is distinctively cupped with irregular white variegation.![Hosta with wide creamy margins][]
‘Wide Brim’ has dark green centers and broad yellow edges.![Blue hosta with white leaf edges][]
‘Sea Thunder’ features bold blue leaves with thin white margins.
Specialty and Rare Hosta Cultivars
For something really unique, try these special hostas:![Red leaf stems of hosta][]
The red petioles of ‘Fire and Ice’ add great interest.![Rippled hosta with wavy leaves][]
‘Undulata’ has very wavy, ruffled leaves.
Hostas Care
FAQ
Do hostas like sun or shade?
What month is best to plant hostas?
Do hostas grow better in pots or the ground?
Where is the best place to put hostas?
What does a hosta plant look like?
This Hosta cultivar features beautiful foliage with leather-like texture and heart-shaped leaves. Bright yellow in the middle, it turns a gorgeous chartreuse color. With wide dark green edges and creamy lime-green leaves, this thick plant resembles a spherical mound. Bell-shaped lavender flowers are another feature of this species.
What makes a Hosta a beautiful plant?
Hostas inspire with their large patterned leaves. We will introduce you to the whole variety of the plant and show you the most beautiful hostas varieties.
Do hostas have flowers?
Hostas are the unequivocal rulers of the shade. Without having flowers as their main features (although they do flower, some more spectacularly than others), they rely on their striking foliage in shades of green to attract attention in the garden.
What are the different types of Hosta?
Patriot is another variegated hosta type that stands above its leaves and puts up erect lavender blooms on slender stalks. This cultivar is the result of a genetic mutation of Hosta ‘Francee,’ another well-known hosta. This Hosta cultivar features beautiful foliage with leather-like texture and heart-shaped leaves.
What is a good Hosta plant?
A fairly large Hosta, the Earth Angel is a very popular choice for many home gardeners. Along with stunning blue-green leaves that have pale margins, this plant also blooms fantastic lavender-shaded flowers. 25. Empress Wu Empress Wu grows thick, dark green leaves that can grow upto 1 foot in length.
How tall can a hosta grow?
A tall hosta variety, Big Daddy can reach up to 2 feet tall. This hosta is great for adding texture to a shade garden thanks to its unique cup-shaped leaves, says McConnell. Another large hosta variety, Brother Stefan is a slow grower, but has variegated leaves that add a lot of character to any space.