Top 6 Giant Hosta Varieties to Cultivate: Magnificent Plantain Liliies Behemoths
Large hostas are a popular choice for gardeners seeking impressive size, striking foliage, and suitability as focal points in shade gardens. These giants are prized for their ornamental leaves and flowers, often used to create dramatic focal points in shade or woodland gardens.
One of the largest hosta varieties is the Empress Wu, which can grow up to 4-5 feet wide and over 4 feet tall. Known for its large chartreuse leaves that become more yellow during summer, Empress Wu produces pale lavender flowers in midsummer, providing a bold, dramatic impact in shaded gardens.
Another notable variety is the Sum and Substance, awarded Perennial Plant of the Year in 2004. With large chartreuse leaves that can reach 2-3 feet tall, this hosta is noted for its thick leaves and stems, making it more resistant to slugs. Its foliage may slightly lose vibrancy during summer but remains a standout.
The Dancing Queen is another large hosta with very large leaves of a vibrant chartreuse colour that fades slightly in summer. It produces flower spikes similar to Sum and Substance, and is known for its bold presence and bright foliage contrast in gardens.
Minke Giant Hosta reaches about 40 inches tall and is popular for shaded borders and serving as a striking garden focal point. It features deep green leaves edged with mellow yellow, and graceful soft lavender blooms appear midsummer. Attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies, this hosta is a great addition to any shade garden.
Victory, introduced as a new giant hosta variety in 2003, can spread up to 6 feet wide, making it a massive ground cover. Its medium green leaves with yellow margins fade to a cream color as the plant ages, adding significant presence with its size and coloration.
Blue Umbrellas is a large blue hosta variety with glossy leaves, known for its size and dramatic leaf texture, anchoring shade gardens effectively.
Other large hostas include the Riverboat Queen, which grows in an attractive, upright mound with round, deeply rippled, and corrugated leaves that are bluish-green. Blue Angel, similar to Empress Wu but shorter and with a blue tint on its leaves, grows best in a shady spot and has white summer flowers.
Hostas are easy to grow and maintain, and come in an astounding variety of sizes and colours. These large hostas thrive best in moist, shady locations with rich, well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. They bloom in summer with flowers ranging from pale lavender to white, attracting pollinators like hummingbirds.
Proper planting and care, including ample space, well-drained soil, and protection from harsh sun, help these giants thrive and show off their impressive leaves and flowers. With their size, ornamental foliage, and suitability as focal points in shade gardens, large hostas are a must-have for any gardener looking to add a touch of drama to their outdoor space.
In the realm of home-and-garden pursuits, large hostas are a popular choice, particularly when seeking a lifestyle that includes impressive size, striking foliage, and suitability as focal points in shade gardens. Among these giants, varieties such as the Empress Wu and Sum and Substance are renowned for their ornamental leaves and flowers, offering bold, dramatic impacts in shaded gardens, making them ideal for home-and-gardening enthusiasts.
