Hostas
By: Garden Gate staff
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3 great hostas for everyone
Browsing the selection of hostas at a garden center or mail-order source can get overwhelming! Narrow down your search to the three beautiful, easy-going cultivars ahead — with plenty of interesting foliage, from puckered to gold leaves, they’ll be shade garden stars year after year.
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‘Brother Stefan’
In spring, the edge of this moderate growing hosta is blue and the center is chartreuse. As the season goes on, the center turns gold. Thick heart-shaped leaves are highly corrugated, meaning the leaf surface is puckered, kind of like seersucker.
Blooms White flowers sit just above the leaves in late spring
Light Part shade
Soil Well-drained soil
Size 20 to 24 in. tall, 30 to 36 in. wide
Cold-hardy USDA zones 3 to 8
Heat-tolerant AHS zones 8 to 1
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‘Blue Mouse Ears’
This little hosta grows faster than most others its size. It has very thick rounded leaves and looks great massed near the front of a border or in containers.
Blooms Lavender flowers bloom in summer on 12-in. scapes
Light Part to full shade
Soil Well-drained
Size 4 to 6 in. tall, 6 to 9 in. wide
Cold-hardy USDA zones 3 to 8
Heat-tolerant AHS zones 8 to 1
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‘Key West’
This fast-growing clump looks impressive at maturity — its gold leaves glow in the shade. Get the best gold color with a little morning sun. For an eye-catching combo, grow it next to plants with blue or burgundy foliage.
Blooms Lavender flowers bloom in late spring on 3-ft. scapes
Light Part shade
Soil Well-drained
Size 18 to 28 in. tall, 36 to 45 in. wide
Cold-hardy USDA zones 3 to 8
Heat-tolerant AHS zones 8 to 1
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