Hosta on Edge
by Tom Michelitti

ARTICLE FIRST APPEARED: 1998 Summer

There are a number of great small Hostas that can be used at the front of the shade or partial shade border, to provide season long interest with their colorful foliage. A small Hosta would be one that grows less than one foot tall. If a Hosta grows one foot tall it will probably grow 2 feet wide. There are even dwarf Hostas that will not exceed 6" in height.

Edging Hostas are small growing plants that multiply quickly and are affordable enough to purchase in quantity. They should be planted 1-1.5' apart, so the leaves grow together blending into a uniform band of foliage. They can brighten a shady border, with their colorful gold or variegated leaves. Some golds are, ÔChartreuse Wiggles', ÔGold Edger', ÔGold Drop', ÔGolden Scepter', ÔLemon Lime', and ÔLittle Aurora'.

Vigorous edging Hostas with green and white variegated leaves are: ÔGinko Craig', ÔResonance', ÔAllen P. McConnell', and ÔDiamond Tiara'. Small gold-margined Hostas include, ÔGolden Tiara', and ÔStilletto'.

If you are looking for more unusual variegation in an edging plant, I recommend Hosta such as ÔPlatinum Tiara' which has gold heart-shaped leaves and a green margin. ÔFresh' has narrow, pointed chartreuse leaves with a white margin. ÔMasquerade' is a dwarf with narrow, pointed white leaves and a green margin, and ÔBlue Cadet' has blue-green heart-shaped leaves.

If you want to make a statement at the front of the shady border with a colorful specimen plant, then there are a number of other Hosta whose foliage cry out for attention. Fantastic green and white variegated Hosta include: ÔCrepe Suzette', ÔCrested Surf', ÔFair Maiden', ÔLittle Wonder', ÔMoon River', ÔPeace', and ÔScooter'.

Small gold-margined specimen Hostas include: ÔGrand Tiara', ÔLemon Delight', ÔRadiant Edger', and ÔSultana'. Small gold-leaved Hostas with a green margin are: ÔJune', ÔJust So', ÔKabitan', ÔLemon Delight', ÔPeedee Gold Flash', ÔPooh Bear', ÔSitting Pretty', and ÔTwist of Lime'.

Last, if it's blue-leaved Hostas you're looking for, I would recommend these small plants: ÔAbiqua Trumpet', ÔBlue Moon', ÔDorset Blue', ÔFragrant Blue', and ÔPopo'.

This is only the beginning of a long list of varieties of small Hostas for edging the front of the shady border, or for using as specimen plants with bold, bright foliage. And I haven't even begun to mention any of the small all-green Hostas that could enhance the edge of your shade garden!

Tom Micheletti owns The Hosta Patch, a mail-order Hosta nursery. His complete catalog is available by sending a SASE to: 23720 Hearthside Drive, Barrington, IL 60010. He may be reached at (847) 540-8051 or at rebel101@starnetinc.com.

You can join the Midwest Regional Hosta Society ($10 for 5 years. Could this be?!) by writing B. Knight, 425 Lee St., Iowa City, IA 52246 or the Northern IL Hosta Society ($10 for 2 years! cheap!): F. Brennan, 12601 Timberlane, Palos Park, IL 60464 (708) 448-7325.

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