Hosta
If there can be one favorite plant group among gardeners, Hosta is it. There is a hosta variety to suit just about any growing condition, size need or design plan. A seemingly endless array of foliage color and unique combinations of color make hosta suitable for foliage gardens, combined with perennials and annuals, even ground covers and foundation plantings.
.Hosta are very easy to grow, very low maintenance, and very adaptable, but do prefer rich moist soil, slightly acidic. There are hosta suitable for sun or shade and everything in between. Hosta foliage range from deep blue greens to nearly white, and again, everything in between including variegated. Foliage color is an indicator of the sun requirements. Deep dark foliage should be planted in shade with minimal direct sun, indirect sun, or dappled shade. The lighter the foliage color, the more sun the plant will need. However no hosta will thrive in all day direct sun. And any variegated variety will need sun to maintain the white or golden variegation. Morning sun is ideal for intensifying leaf color, afternoon sun will fade and burn many colorful hostas.
Rich soil and good drainage will give your hosta their best start, but once established are very tolerant of dry soil and most conditions. When competing with tree roots for space and moisture, hosta may not grow as large as it could in rich unrestricted soil. A little fertilizer in spring, and perhaps in mid summer is plenty for hosta to remain strong and healthy. Flowers on tall stalks appear in midsummer and can be snipped off at the base when spent. Some hosta will self seed, so be sure to remove the spent blooms to prevent multiplying.
There are a few pests that can bother hosta. Slugs make holes in the leaves, rabbits will nibble, and deer enjoy hosta, especially the young spring foliage. Fortunately hosta are tough and resilient, and usually recover. Most hosta plants will outlive their gardener, but after ten years or more dividing will refresh the plant and encourage neat young growth. Divide to refresh or propagate in very early spring just as the tips emerge.
In northern climates, hosta should be heavily mulched for winter to prevent temperature fluctuations that can heave plants up. Clear old foliage from the garden after a hard freeze or very early in spring as new growth emerges.
Hosta ‘Blue Angel’
Common Name: Hosta, Plantain Lily, Funkia
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 2 - 2 1/2 feet
Spread: 6 feet
Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Shade, Part Shade
Water Requirements: Medium
Soil Requirements: Organically rich, well drained
Growth Habit: Mounded clump
Bloom Time: July to August
Bloom Color: White, tinged lavender
Bloom Form: Trumpet shaped blooms borne on 48” tall scapes
Foliage: Heart shaped blue green leaves, corrugated and slightly wavy
Fragrance: None
Pest and Disease Resistance: Good resistance to snails and slugs. Favored by deer
Fertilize: Feed lightly in spring and midsummer
Maintenance: Water regularly
Other: Propagate by division
Hardiness: Zones 3-8
‘Blue Angel’ is a perfect foliage plant for dense shade and competes well with tree roots. Spring produces very blue new foliage that matures to a rich blue green by mid season. Fairly dense shade will help hold the deep blue. This giant hosta displays dramatic veining and heavy texture and just slightly wavy edges.. Blooms are generally white but may display some pale lavender. ‘Blue Angel’ is one of the largest of the blue leaved hosta.
Hosta ‘Blue Ivory’
Common Name: Hosta, Plantain Lily, Funkia
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 16”
Spread: 30”
Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Shade, Part Shade
Water Requirements: Medium
Soil Requirements: Organically rich, well drained
Growth Habit: Mounded clump
Bloom Time: July to August
Bloom Color: Lavender
Bloom Form: Trumpet shaped blooms borne on 24” tall scapes
Foliage: Broad pointed blue green leaves, with wiide creamy margins
Fragrance: None
Pest and Disease Resistance: Good resistance to snails and slugs. Favored by deer
Fertilize: Feed lightly in spring and midsummer
Maintenance: Water regularly
Other: Propagate by division
Hardiness: Zones 3-9
A medium sized hosta, ‘Blue Ivory’ has gorgeous blue leaves with very wide creamy white margins. Leaves are broad but elongated and pointed, very unique. The bold margins don’t reach their full potential for a few years. This is a very showy sport of ‘Halcyon’. As the foliage matures the leaf centers develop to a deep blue green and the margins brighten and whiten. In summer heat the margins begin to take on a green blush. Color will develop best in heavy shade. ‘Blue Ivory’s thick leaves help to resist slugs.
Hosta ‘Blue Mouse Ears’
Common Name: Hosta, Plantain Lily, Funkia
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 6-12”
Spread: 9-12”
Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Shade, Part Shade
Water Requirements: Medium
Soil Requirements: Organically rich, well drained
Growth Habit: Mounded clump
Bloom Time: July to August
Bloom Color: Lavender
Bloom Form: Trumpet shaped blooms borne on 812” tall scapes
Foliage: 2” x 2 1/2”’ wide rounded leaves with curled up edges
Fragrance: None
Pest and Disease Resistance: Good resistance to snails and slugs. Favored by deer
Fertilize: Feed lightly in spring and midsummer
Maintenance: Water regularly
Other: Propagate by division
Hardiness: Zones 3-8
‘Blue Mouse Ears’ is a darling miniature blue hosta. It forms a perfect little mound for front of a shady border, with each leaf curled like a little mouse ear. A thin white edge appears in spring. An abundance of lavender flowers nearly dwarf the foliage in mid summer. ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ is a reliable performer, a sport of ‘Blue Cadet’., and competes easily with tree roots.
Hosta ‘Curly Fries’
Common Name: Hosta, Plantain Lily, Funkia
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 6”
Spread: 16”
Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Shade, Part Shade
Water Requirements: Medium
Soil Requirements: Organically rich, well drained
Growth Habit: Arching clump
Bloom Time: July to August
Bloom Color: Lavender
Bloom Form: Starry blooms borne on purple red 16” tall scapes
Foliage: Heart shaped blue green leaves, corrugated and slightly wavy
Fragrance: None
Pest and Disease Resistance: Occasionally bothered by snails and slugs. Favored by deer
Fertilize: Feed lightly in spring and midsummer
Maintenance: Water regularly
Other: Propagate by division
Hardiness: Zones 3-9
‘Curly Fries’ is one of the more unique hosta with long fine crinkled leaves of bright chartreuse. A dwarf hosta, it forms a mound of arching narrow leaves, rippled all along the edges. A little morning sun will keep ‘Curly Fries’ color bright. Starry lavender blooms are held on striking scapes of deep purple. At mature growth, petioles may acquire red speckles.
‘Curly Fries’ is a rare seedling from supposedly sterile ‘Pineapple Upsidedown Cake’. A truly remarkable occurrence bearing a very unique specimen.
Hosta ‘Fire and Ice’
Common Name: Hosta, Plantain Lily, Funkia
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 12-18”
Spread: 12-24”
Sun/Shade Requirements: Part Shade, Sun
Water Requirements: Medium
Soil Requirements: Organically rich, well drained
Growth Habit: Mounded clump, somewhat upright
Bloom Time: July to August
Bloom Color: Lavender
Bloom Form: Trumpet shaped blooms borne on 20” tall scapes
Foliage: Unique white leaves with green margins, twisted leaves
Fragrance: None
Pest and Disease Resistance: Susceptible to snails and slugs. Favored by deer
Fertilize: Feed lightly in spring and midsummer
Maintenance: Water regularly
Other: Propagate by division
Hardiness: Zones 3-9
‘Fire and Ice’ is a reverse coloring sport of the shady staple ‘Patriot’, with pure white centers and dark green margins. Same foliage colors but producing a very unique look with the reversal, further added interest with a slightly twisted leaf. But with non-chlorophyll white tissue as the dominant leaf color, plant growth is slow. Reaching mature size may also be difficult on anything other than ideal conditions. Morning sun and rich soil is best. The foliage is compact and forms a somewhat upright mound. Intense sun, especially in warmer regions tends to brown out the white portion of the leaves.
Hosta sieboldiana ‘Frances Williams’
Common Name: Hosta, Plantain Lily, Funkia
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 26”
Spread: up to 5 feet
Sun/Shade Requirements: Part Shade to Full Shade
Water Requirements: Medium
Soil Requirements: Organically rich, well drained
Growth Habit: Mounded clump
Bloom Time: July to August
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Form: Trumpet shaped blooms borne on 30” tall scapes
Foliage: Huge corrugated leaves of blue green with wide golden yellow margins
Fragrance: None
Pest and Disease Resistance: Good resistance to snails and slugs. Favored by deer
Fertilize: Feed lightly in spring and midsummer
Maintenance: Water regularly
Other: Propagate by division
Hardiness: Zones 3-8
‘Frances Williams’ is the wildly popular sport of ‘Elegans’. It is likely the most commonly known cultivar of hosta ever. Most shade gardeners find it to be an impressive and striking addition to a shade garden. But too much sun can yellow and burn, so dappled sunlight or morning sun is ideal to develop great color and prevent burning. Dense shade midday is ideal.
The huge leaves are thick and puckered with distinctive veining and arch into elegant form. Golden yellow bleeding to chartreuse margins are wide and irregular. This impressive sport was discovered in the 1930s by perhaps the most influential name in hosta cultivation, breeder Frances Williams. ‘Frances Williams’ will self seed, remove spent blooms to prevent seedlings.
‘Frances Williams’ is such a great choice for so many reason. It is so bold, and so rugged it seems impervious to pest, disease and destruction. I highly recommend for a stunning statement or in masses for large woodland settings where little else will thrive for lack of sunlight.
Hosta fortunei ‘Gold Standard’
Common Name: Hosta, Plantain Lily, Funkia
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 18-36”
Spread: 18-36”
Sun/Shade Requirements: Part Shade to Full Shade
Water Requirements: Medium
Soil Requirements: Organically rich, well drained
Growth Habit: Mounded clump
Bloom Time: July to August
Bloom Color: Pale Lavender
Bloom Form: Trumpet shaped blooms borne on 42” tall scapes
Foliage: Heart shaped leaves are corrugated
Fragrance: None
Pest and Disease Resistance: Good resistance to snails and slugs. Favored by deer
Fertilize: Feed lightly in spring and midsummer
Maintenance: Water regularly
Other: Propagate by division
Hardiness: Zones 3-8
Moderately sized ‘Gold Standard’ forms a beautiful mound of golden yellow with irregular blue green margins. Foliage emerges bright chartreuse and deepens to rich golden yellow as it matures. By end of season the foliage fades to near white. Wide heart shaped leaves are deeply textured. Blooms are lavender often with a pink tinge.
Golden foliage color is enhanced with morning sun, afternoon shade is essential to prevent scalding in hot regions. Dappled to fairly dense shade is adequate for good color, and in the northern regions all day sun will be tolerated. ‘Gold Standard’ has parented many important sports, and is a sport of ‘Fortunei Hyacinthina’ .
Hosta fortunei ‘Green Gold’
Common Name: Hosta, Plantain Lily, Funkia
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 20-31”
Spread: 18-36”
Sun/Shade Requirements: Light Shade to Sun
Water Requirements: Medium
Soil Requirements: Organically rich, well drained
Growth Habit: Mounded clump
Bloom Time: July to August
Bloom Color: Pale Lavender
Bloom Form: Trumpet shaped blooms borne on 33” tall scapes
Foliage: 7” heart shaped leaves have creamy yellow margins
Fragrance: None
Pest and Disease Resistance: Good resistance to snails and slugs. Favored by deer
Fertilize: Feed lightly in spring and midsummer
Maintenance: Water regularly
Other: Propagate by division
Hardiness: Zones 3-8
The dark green leaves of ‘Green Gold’ are glossy with yellow margins that mature to creamy yellow and eventually white. Early foliage emerges a bright lime green. The narrow margins are crisp and bold, quite distinctive in the garden. A sturdy standard, ‘Green Gold’ stands up to full sun fairly well.
Hosta ‘Guacamole’
Common Name: Hosta, Plantain Lily, Funkia
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 24”
Spread: 36-54”
Sun/Shade Requirements: Light Shade, part sun
Water Requirements: Medium
Soil Requirements: Organically rich, well drained
Growth Habit: Mounded clump
Bloom Time: July to August
Bloom Color: Pale lavender
Bloom Form: Trumpet shaped blooms borne on 36” tall scapes
Foliage: Wide leaves, pointed and ovate, thick and corrugated
Fragrance: Fragrant flowers
Pest and Disease Resistance: Good resistance to snails and slugs. Favored by deer
Fertilize: Feed lightly in spring and midsummer
Maintenance: Water regularly
Other: Propagate by division
Hardiness: Zones 3-8
Fabulous apple green color of ‘Guacamole’ brightens any shady spot. Avocado green margins and leaf streaks make a striking accent. Colors are most intense with the plant receives bright light and is quite tolerant of direct sun in northern regions. Will also do very well in heavy shade but with less color variation and will not tolerate full sun in hot regions.
‘Guacamole’ is a sport of ‘Fragrant Bouquet’ and tolerates more sun. Combines beautifully with darker blue green leaved hostas. ‘Guacamole’ will self seed, remove spent blooms to prevent seedlings.
Hosta ‘June’
Common Name: Hosta, Plantain Lily, Funkia
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 12-16”
Spread: 3 feet
Sun/Shade Requirements: Light Shade, part sun
Water Requirements: Medium
Soil Requirements: Organically rich, well drained
Growth Habit: Mounded clump
Bloom Time: July to August
Bloom Color: Pale Lavender
Bloom Form: Trumpet shaped blooms borne on 20” tall scapes
Foliage: Wide leaves, pointed and ovate
Fragrance: None
Pest and Disease Resistance: Good resistance to snails and slugs. Favored by deer
Fertilize: Feed lightly in spring and midsummer
Maintenance: Water regularly
Other: Propagate by division
Hardiness: Zones 3-8
Bright and sassy ‘June’ is a sport of ‘Hallcyon’. Leaf color makes ‘June’ wildly popular with golden color, a wide blue green margin and yet third color of spring green streaking toward the margins. To achieve its’ best color, ‘June’ should get bright morning sun, where you will also see hints of lime in the golden leaf center. The emerging foliage in early spring is chartreuse with blue green margins
‘June’ is part of the Tardiana Group, which is a group of hybrids that have been crossed between H. tardiflora and H. siegoldiana var. elegans. After the first hard frost in fall, ‘June’ will still look fabulous and is one of the last hostas to go dormant. The ever changing foliage colors earn front of the border placement to fully appreciate as the plant matures. Thick leaves help to deter slugs.
Hosta ‘Krossa Regal’
Common Name: Hosta, Plantain Lily, Funkia
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 3-6 feet
Spread: 3-6 feet
Sun/Shade Requirements: Part Shade to Full Shade
Water Requirements: Medium
Soil Requirements: Organically rich, well drained
Growth Habit: Upright vase shaped
Bloom Time: July to August
Bloom Color: Lavender
Bloom Form: 5” trumpet shaped blooms borne on 5 to 6 foot tall scapes
Foliage: 12” long 7” wide frosty, gray blue leaves with slightly waved margins
Fragrance: None
Pest and Disease Resistance: Good resistance to snails and slugs. Favored by deer
Fertilize: Feed lightly in spring and midsummer
Maintenance: Water regularly
Other: Propagate by division
Hardiness: Zones 3-8
‘Krossa Regal’ is a giant hosta that does not grow in the typical mounding form. Very large leaves are held upright in clumps that can grow as large as six feet high and wide. Typical size may be about 3 feet, but in ideal conditions easily exceeds that. The leaves are thick, steel blue green and deeply veined. This classic hosta is indeed regal in stature and is a beautiful hosta to give a special place in your shade garden. Surround ‘Krossa Regal’ with brighter variegated hosta or Coral Bells to really set off the deep green beauty of the upright foliage.
‘Krossa Regal’ performs best with some morning sun or dappled shade. Best form and maturity will be achieved in consistently moist soil, but once established will have some tolerance for dry conditions. Foliage color is best in shade through the heat of the day and the blue green will deepen through the season. Thick upright leaves help deter slugs.
Hosta ‘Prince of Wales’
Common Name: Hosta, Plantain Lily, Funkia
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 35”
Spread: 70”
Sun/Shade Requirements: Part Shade to Full Shade
Water Requirements: Medium
Soil Requirements: Organically rich, well drained
Growth Habit: Mounded clump
Bloom Time: July to August
Bloom Color: Pale Lavender
Bloom Form: Trumpet shaped blooms borne on 35” tall scapes
Foliage: Large blue green leaves are cupped and corrugated, slightly rippled at the margin
Fragrance: None
Pest and Disease Resistance: Good resistance to snails and slugs. Favored by deer
Fertilize: Feed lightly in spring and midsummer
Maintenance: Water regularly
Other: Propagate by division
Hardiness: Zones 3-8
‘Prince of Wales’ is a hybrid cross between seiboldiana ‘Elegans’ x montana. This giant hosta has enormous leaves, 14” x 10” wide or even much larger. Pale lavender, nearly white, flowers are produced profusely from tall scapes. Blue coloring is best in full shade.
Hosta ‘Regal Splendor’
Common Name: Hosta, Plantain Lily, Funkia
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 2-3 feet
Spread: 2-3 feet
Sun/Shade Requirements: Part Shade to Full Shade
Water Requirements: Medium
Soil Requirements: Organically rich, well drained
Growth Habit: Mounded with some slightly upright leaves
Bloom Time: July to August
Bloom Color: Lavender
Bloom Form: Trumpet shaped blooms borne on 3 to 5 foot tall scapes
Foliage: Frosty blue green with creamy margins, heart shaped and wavy leaves
Fragrance: None
Pest and Disease Resistance: Good resistance to snails and slugs. Favored by deer
Fertilize: Feed lightly in spring and midsummer
Maintenance: Water regularly
Other: Propagate by division
Hardiness: Zones 3-8
The leaves of ‘Regal Splendor’ begin to lose the frosty look and matures to a deep blue green. ‘Regal Splendor’ is a sport of ‘Krossa Regal’, and displays some of the upright habit of it’s parent, but remains in a more mounded and spreading form. In ideal conditions spread can reach up to 6 feet. Thick, somewhat upright leaves help to deter slugs.
Hosta ‘Royal Standard’
Common Name: Hosta, Plantain Lily, Funkia
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 18 - 26”
Spread: 3-5 feet
Sun/Shade Requirements: Part Shade to Part Sun
Water Requirements: Medium
Soil Requirements: Organically rich, well drained
Growth Habit: Mounded with slightly upright leaves
Bloom Time: July to August
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Form: Trumpet shaped blooms borne on 30-42” tall scapes
Foliage: 5”wide and 9” long green leaves with very slightly wavy edges.
Fragrance: Very fragrant, sweet
Pest and Disease Resistance: Susceptible to snails and slugs. Favored by deer
Fertilize: Feed lightly in spring and midsummer
Maintenance: Water regularly
Other: Propagate by division
Hardiness: Zones 3-8
‘Royal Standard’ spread into a very wide mound with graceful, slightly narrow leaves. The satiny finish is bright in the shade garden with deep distinctive veining. Foliage tends to turn yellow green in full sun But otherwise tends to hold up well to the sun if it receives adequate moisture. Full shade is also acceptable to ‘Royal Standard’, producing richer color. The tall flower scapes bear small leaves.
Hosta ‘Sagae’
Common Name: Hosta, Plantain Lily, Funkia
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 2 - 3 feet
Spread: 2 - 3 feet
Sun/Shade Requirements: Part shade to full shade
Water Requirements: Medium
Soil Requirements: Organically rich, well drained
Growth Habit: Upright vase shaped
Bloom Time: July to August
Bloom Color: Lavender
Bloom Form: Trumpet shaped blooms borne on 34” tall scapes
Foliage: Large oval, variegated, wavy edged leaves
Fragrance: None
Pest and Disease Resistance: Good resistance to snails and slugs. Favored by deer
Fertilize: Feed lightly in spring and midsummer
Maintenance: Water regularly
Other: Propagate by division
Hardiness: Zones 3-8
‘Sagae’ displays bold coloring of frosty blue green leaves with wavy yellow margins. With more sun exposure the margins mature to a creamy white. Gray green streaks through the centers. ‘Sagae’ creates a beautiful dappled sunlight effect in a woodland garden. In a favored spot spread can reach up to 4 or 5 feet. Heart shaped leaves are very large, up to 13 inches long and 11 inches wide.
‘Sagae’ was originally introduced in 1996 as H. fluctuans ‘Vareigated’. Thick upright leaves help to deter slugs. This hosta will set viable seed, remove spent blooms to prevent seedlings.
Hosta ‘Stained Glass’
Common Name: Hosta, Plantain Lily, Funkia
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 12-16”
Spread: 24-36”, up to 48” in ideal conditions
Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Shade to Filtered Sun
Water Requirements: Medium
Soil Requirements: Organically rich, well drained
Growth Habit: Mounded clump
Bloom Time: July to August
Bloom Color: Pale Lavender
Bloom Form: Trumpet shaped blooms borne on 30” tall scapes
Foliage: Large bright golden leaves with prominent veining and irregular margins
Fragrance: Light fragrance
Pest and Disease Resistance: Good resistance to snails and slugs. Favored by deer
Fertilize: Feed lightly in spring and midsummer
Maintenance: Water regularly
Other: Propagate by division
Hardiness: Zones 3-9
A fabulous sport of the popular ‘Guacamole’, ‘Stained Glass’ is an even brighter gold with dark green irregular margins. Prominent veins with the streaked margins give the foliage its stained glass effect. Plenty of sun does not seem to bother the foliage, especially in cooler regions. In warmer regions rich moisture retentive soil will help hold up to sun, but a bit of shade in the heat of the day will be appreciated. The large showy flowers are fragrant.
Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’
Common Name: Hosta, Plantain Lily, Funkia
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 2-3 feet
Spread: 3-6 feet
Sun/Shade Requirements: Part Shade to Full Sun
Water Requirements: Medium
Soil Requirements: Organically rich, well drained
Growth Habit: Mounded with some slightly upright leaves
Bloom Time: July to August
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Form: Trumpet shaped blooms borne on 38”tall scapes
Foliage: Chartreuse yellow leaves 20” x 15”, hearty shaped and thickly textured
Fragrance: Sweet Fragrance
Pest and Disease Resistance: Good resistance to snails and slugs. Favored by deer
Fertilize: Feed lightly in spring and midsummer
Maintenance: Water regularly
Other: Propagate by division
Hardiness: Zones 3-8
‘Sum and Substance’ is a huge stunning hosta with very large hear shaped leaves. With bright yellow to chartreuse highly textured leaves and showy fragrant large blooms, this hosta is outstanding as a specimen plant or in masses. Plenty of sun will encourage the best bright golden color. In ideal conditions ‘Sum and Substance’ can spread enormously if not competing with tree roots, but typically will remain about 3 to 5 feet wide.
Interestingly, I find ‘Sum and Substance’ to be typically listed as having lavender flowers. Mine has white flowers. Even one of my trusted sources lists both white and lavender in the very same description. However the origin of ‘Sum and Substance’ is mysterious. It has been speculated to be a sport but also a natural hybrid. If a hybrid, one of the parents could well be asserting itself in flower color.
Hosta ‘White Feather’ also known as ‘Filigree’
Common Name: Hosta, Plantain Lily, Funkia
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Height: 12”
Spread: 20-24”
Sun/Shade Requirements: Full Shade
Water Requirements: Medium
Soil Requirements: Organically rich, well drained
Growth Habit: Upright clump
Bloom Time: July to August
Bloom Color: Lavender
Bloom Form: Trumpet shaped blooms borne on 20” tall scapes
Foliage: Heart shaped leaves are corrugated
Fragrance: None
Pest and Disease Resistance: Susceptible snails and slugs. Favored by deer
Fertilize: Feed lightly in spring and midsummer
Maintenance: Water regularly
Other: Propagate by division
Hardiness: Zones 3-8
Although ‘White Feather’ is quite unique, do be aware that although the foliage emerges very white in spring, it will in fact turn green later in summer. With that understood, it is nonetheless a very interesting hosta. Shortly after emerging the veins will turn green with creates a stunning effect. By mid summer the green starts filling in the leaves. This diminutive, ever changing hosta should take the front row of your shade garden to fully appreciate the drama. ‘White Feather’ has thin leaves and will not tolerate sun well at all, indirect or early morning sun would be best.