Hosta 'Blue Umbrellas'
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Tried and True Recommended by 6 Professionals
Common Name: hosta
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Agavaceae
Zone: 3 to 8
Garden Location: Jordan Charitable Foundation Ornamental Shade Garden and Overlook
Height: 2.5 to 3 feet
Spread: 3 to 4 feet
Bloom Time: June
Bloom Color: White, Lavender
Bloom Description: Almost white with lavender tinge
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Leaves: Colorful
Wildlife: Attracts Hummingbirds
Tolerates: Dense Shade, Black Walnuts
Uses: Cut Flower

Culture

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade. No special culture is required. Soil should be kept moist, however, especially in hot, sunny conditions. Does best in light, dappled shade.

Noteworthy Characteristics

As the cultivar name indicates, this is an immense hosta growing to 36" high and 48" in diameter. Features large (13 x 10"), heart-shaped, thick-textured, corrugated, blue-green leaves and racemes of bell-shaped, white flowers on scapes up to 42". A dependable and versatile perennial requiring little care. Grown primarily for its beautiful foliage which provides color, contrast and texture to the landscape. Dense foliage crowds out garden weeds. American Hosta Society Midwest Blue Award (1987).

Problems

Although slugs and snails can be significant problems, and leaf spot and crown rot lesser problems, hostas are otherwise virtually disease and pest-free, and are ideal, low-maintenance garden perennials.

Garden Uses

This very large hosta may be best utilized as a specimen or large clump planting in shady locations in the woodland garden, perennial border or naturalized area. It is also effective planted on a slope where it can help reduce soil erosion.

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