Hostas (plantain lilies) are a versatile shade-loving perennial with an incredible spectrum of leaf colors, patterns, and textures.
We do not sell our hostas as specific varieties but rather by color and size. We grow many of our hostas from seed but also use division. Most of the hostas below are part of our hostas here at Natural Gardens. Here’s a more detailed look at the different hosta colors:
🌿 Blue-Green Hostas
- Color: Shades of steel-blue to slate-green
- Examples: ‘Blue Angel’, ‘Halcyon’, ‘Elegans’, ‘Krossa Regal’ known for heart-shaped, sometimes puckered leaves
- Light preference: Require heavy shade to maintain blue tone
- Flowering: Lavender to pale purple bell-shaped flowers emerge midsummer
🟡 Golden & Yellow Hostas
- Color: Bright chartreuse, creamy yellow, or deep gold
- Examples: ‘Sum and Substance’, ‘Fire Island’, ‘Golden Tiara’, ‘Squash Casserole’
- Light preference: Thrive in partial sun (4–6 hrs); deep shade often turns them greenish
- Flowering: Often bloom with lavender/hazy purple flowers
🟢 Solid Green Hostas
- Color: From medium to deep forest green
- Characteristics: Most common type; textures range from glossy to heavily textured
- Examples: Traditional garden varieties, large mound types like ‘Elegans’
⚪ White-Variegated & Mixed-Color Hostas
- Marginal Variegation: Light-colored leaf edges with darker centers
- Examples: ‘Francee’, ‘Golden Tiara’
- Medio-Variegated: Light/white center with darker margins
- Examples: ‘Undulata’, ‘Striptease’, ‘Patriot’
- Tricolor: Three-tone leaves mixing green, cream, yellow
- Example: ‘Striptease’
🍃 Specialty & Novelty Colors
- Red-purple petioles: Some new cultivars show red or purple stems for added effect
- Striking contrasts: Dramatic combos like red-edged white leaves on ‘Hosta Color Festival’ or bright red-margined types from novelty breeders
Leaf Texture & Form
- Smooth/glossy: Appearing rich and sleek
- Rippled/wavy: Adds graceful movement and interest
- Heavily textured/puckered: Especially blue types, like ‘Frances Williams’, keep a robust look
Tips for Garden & Care
- Sun & Color Intensity: Blues need deep shade; yellows benefit from filtered sun. Whites risk burning in full sun
- Moisture: Even moisture is essential; hostas prefer rich, slightly acidic soil
- Companions: Combine with ferns, astilbe, heuchera to enhance texture and color contrast
- Resilience: Slugs, deer, and voles love them, so slug control and spacing are important
Recommended Spotlight Varieties
- ‘Blue Angel’ – Giant blue-green leaves, great shade anchor
- ‘Halcyon’ – Reliable medium blue with thick leaves
- ‘Sum and Substance’ – Majestic chartreuse mound, stands out in shade
- ‘Striptease’ – Eye-catching green center, gold stripe, white edge with pale lavender flowers
- ‘Undulata’ – Classic blanco-center, elegant variegation
Hostas offer endless opportunities for color, texture, and layering in shady areas. Whether you’re after cool blues, glowing yellows, or crisp variegation, there’s a hosta out there to brighten your garden year after year. Want help picking the best ones for your landscape or pairing suggestions? Just let me know!