It's hard to remember a time when Hosta wasn't standard in every garden. Sadly, deer love Hosta as much as gardeners, but that doesn't stop the introduction of fetching new varieties. The puckered leaved varieties, like Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegans' recommended here, are less bothered by slugs. The bluish leaves provide a distinction in the sea of green, since the variations of the color green don't often play well in shade.
The game of creating new Hosta probably began with the first variegated Hosta, but breeders weren't satisfied with simply adding a splash of white. They had to control where the white was placed, the actual shade of white and the proportion of white to green. Their obsession is our gain and there are any number of exquisite variegated Hosta to brighten a shady area.
Then there are the shades of yellow from lime to day-glow gold. These tend to lose some of the brilliance in shade, where the white and blue varieties perform best.
Puckered or variegated, Hostas have bold leaves that contrast well with the lacy texture of so many shade perennials.
Recommended
Variegated White
- Hosta 'Francee' (USDA Zones 3 - 8, 28" x 36", White Blooms, White Variegated Leaf Edges)
- Hosta 'Patriot' (USDA Zones 3 - 9, 28" x 36", White Blooms, White Variegated Leaf Edges)
Puckered Blue Leaves
- Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegans' (USDA Zone 3 - 8 28" x 48", White Blooms, Puckered Blue Leaves)
- Hosta 'Big Daddy' (USDA Zones 3 - 8, 28" x 48" White Blooms, Puckered Blue Leaves)
Alternative
- Brunnera macrophylla - Siberian Bugloss (USDA Zones 3 - 9, 24" x 12", Blue Flowers: April - May)
- Brunnera macrophylla 'Dawson's White' (USDA Zones 3 - 9, 24" x 12", Blue Flowers: April - May, Foliage is Edged in a Creamy White)
- Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' (USDA Zones 3 - 9, 24" x 12", Blue Flowers: April - May, Foliage Frosted in Silver)