When searching for hostas, the numerous options can be overwhelming, with hundreds of varieties introduced over the decades. To narrow down the choices, it’s best to stick with tried and trusted varieties that have stood the test of time and are naturally resistant to slug and snail damage due to their thicker, less palatable leaves.
One such variety is ‘Halcyon’, which has exceptional blue-green heart-shaped leaves and is elegantly proportioned, slowly reaching about 45cm tall when well-established. Its thick leaves have good resistance to slug and snail damage, making it a reliable choice for gardens.
Recommended Hosta Varieties
‘Halcyon’ is from the ‘Tardiana’ group of hostas, which are known for their refined appearance, compact habit, and beautiful blue-tinged leaves. Other varieties, such as ‘June’, also belong to this group and offer similar benefits, including resistance to slug and snail damage.
‘June’ is an award-winning cultivar with blue-green leaves daubed with golden yellow and lime green in the centre. Its leaves have the toughness of its parent, H. sieboldiana, making them more resistant to damage and also more tolerant of sunny spots.
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Another popular variety is ‘Francee’, which has medium-sized heart-shaped green leaves edged with a margin of creamy white. In summer, it produces spikes of lavender-coloured flowers above its smart, rounded mounds of foliage.
Compact and Vigorous Varieties
For those short on space, ‘Mouse Ears’ is a super choice, reaching only about 15cm tall. Its small leaves have a tough texture, making it less susceptible to slug damage, and it produces small mauve flower spikes in summer.
‘Devon Green’ is another variety with beautifully glossy emerald-green leaves that are quite thick, giving the plant desirable slug-resistance. It forms a lovely mounded shape and produces pale lavender-coloured flower spikes in summer.
‘Frances Williams’ is a reliable cultivar with heart-shaped, puckered leaves in a glaucous blue-green, edged with lime-green margins. Its tougher leaves offer natural resistance to slug and snail damage, making it a great choice for shady spots.
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Larger Varieties
For a more dramatic effect, ‘Big Daddy’ is a giant among hostas, with huge individual leaves up to 30cm long and clumps that can reach up to 70cm tall and across. They are best teamed with equally robust shade-loving plants to create a striking display.
‘Empress Wu’ is another great hosta for drama and impact, often considered the largest of all. Its massive green leaves can reach up to 45cm long, and it can easily top 1m tall, making it a great focal point in a shady border.
‘Sum and Substance’ is one of the best choices for golden foliage, with large chartreuse-coloured leaves that are moderately thick and slug-resistant.
‘Patriot’ adds extra interest to shady spots with its green leaves broadly margined with white. It is vigorous, reliable, and thrives in full shade, reaching about 60cm tall and producing mauve flower spikes in midsummer.
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When combining these hostas with other foliage plants, consider the textures and colours of the leaves to create a visually appealing mix. For example, the golden foliage of ‘Sum and Substance’ can be paired with the purple-leaved Persicaria ‘Red Dragon’ for a striking contrast. Similarly, the blue-green leaves of ‘Halcyon’ can be complemented by the yellow-green foliage of Carex ‘Eversheen’ or Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’. By choosing the right combinations, you can create a beautiful and thriving shady garden.
In addition to their attractive foliage, hostas also produce beautiful flowers in shades of lavender, lilac, and white. These flowers can add an extra layer of interest to the garden, and can be used to attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. For example, the spikes of lavender-coloured flowers produced by ‘Francee’ can be a magnet for pollinators, while the small mauve flower spikes of ‘Mouse Ears’ can add a touch of elegance to the garden.
Hostas can also be used in a variety of garden settings, from borders and woodland gardens to containers and rockeries. Their versatility and adaptability make them a great choice for gardeners of all levels, and their low-maintenance requirements mean that they can thrive in a range of conditions. By choosing the right hosta variety and combining it with other foliage plants, you can create a beautiful and thriving garden that will bring joy and interest throughout the growing season.
