Description
Hosta Characteristics
There are about 70 different varieties of Hosta. See below for some of the most commonly used varieties.
'Patriot' (Pictured) can grow to 20" tall with densely packed variegated leaves. The leaves have green centers with white rims. Lavender flowers grow high above the foliage.
'Sum and Substance' are a large variety that can grow to 30" tall and twice as wide. Young leaves are light green but become more golden with age if exposed to the sun. Fragrant white flowers bloom above the large foliage. The dense foliage of this variety of Hosta can crowd out weeds.
'Elegans' grows up to 30" tall and 50" wide. The heart shaped foliage is large, flat, and thick. The flowers are white with slight hints of violet. They are slow growing plants that can take years to reach their full size.
'Frances Williams' may only reach to 24" tall but up to 60" wide. The large variegated leaves have blue-green centers with yellow-green edges. The leaves can each reach up to 1' long. The white flowers of summer often have hints of lilac.
Hosta can be vulnerable to wildlife that is attracted to the large leave. Snails and slugs, rabbits, and deer can all damage the foliage. Crown rot and leave spot can occur, but are not common. Hosta survive well in the Pittsburgh area.
