Are you looking for the Best hostas for shade to plant in a landscape? Or maybe you are interested in giving your shade garden a little more of a dramatic flair.
If you are having trouble growing plants underneath trees or bushes, you should probably consider switching to ones that are more suited to growing in the shade.
Plants like the Hosta plant are examples. If, after many tries, your plants continue to have trouble surviving in regions that are heavily shadowed, you should know that there are other options available.
There is no need to be angry or irritated at this time. There are numerous different solutions available for this typical issue. The addition of a hosta plant is one possible remedy. Because hosta plants need shady conditions to grow.
Hosta plants are hardy, adaptable, and tolerant of shadow in a variety of situations. Hosta plants have the ability to turn dark garden areas into lush landscapes that are simple to manage. Create a landscape that is dramatic and eye-catching by using hosta plants. You might also use them to design a landscape that is peaceful and calming.
Can I plant hostas in full shade?
Hostas are huge fans of shade. They do, in fact, laze about in the hot afternoon sun, so the shaded environment that your landscaping creates will be ideal for them.
Best Hostas for Shade (Full shade or part shade)
Abiqua Drinking Gourd Hosta
Because these cultivars are so popular, nurseries nearly always run out of them practically as soon as they are stocked, so finding one of them there is a bit of a long shot. This blue hosta is also one of the bluest, and it has unique leaves that are formed like cups and cluster together in a thick clump.
These cups are just a few inches deep, yet they are able to store a significant amount of water after it has rained. This water then gently seeps into the soil to provide the damp environment that these plants need to thrive. Despite the fact that the leaves tend to retain a lot of moisture, it has a high level of resistance to slugs.
Read my article on large hosta varieties.
Autumn Frost Hosta
This variant of the well-known First Frost (which will be discussed further on) was bred specifically for those gardeners who are thrilled with the color.
The edges of the Autumn Frost are a brilliant shade of yellow, particularly when they are exposed to even a tiny bit of sunshine during the day. The veins have a dusty blue-green color, which provides an excellent contrast with the leaf margins. Along with the majority of other varieties, the margins will eventually turn white, which will keep your garden attractive all through the autumn.
The plant produces lovely lavender blooms in the last moments of summer, just before the leaves begin to change color, and this is the ideal way to say goodbye to the season.
Big Daddy Hosta
Big Daddy is one of the most well-known varieties of gigantic hostas. It has enormous, spherical leaves that may grow to cover significant areas of your garden beds as it spreads outward. The blue waxy coating is extremely noticeable, and it imparts a bluish-gray shine to the leaf surfaces.
Another cultivar that thrives in dense shadow and helps the chalky blue color remain true to form is this one. During the summer, the plant is topped with delicate blooms that provide a striking contrast to the plant’s massive bulk. These flowers are small and white, and they peak out from between the blue leaves.
Blue Angel Hosta
The highly well-liked variety of hosta known as Blue Angel has a hint of blue in its foliage. Another huge kind of hosta, this one can reach a height of 3 feet and has blue leaves that are long and fashioned like hearts. The foliage has a ribbed structure, and they flaunt a pale covering, which is what gives them its dark blue coloration when the temperature is chilly. In the summer, whiteish lavender blossoms may be seen poking out from under the falling leaves.
Due to its capacity to withstand greater heat conditions, Blue Angel is one of the blue hostas that is bought the most often. These temperatures may strip the waxy covering from the leaves, causing them to become green.
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Blue Mouse Ears Hosta
Although it only reaches a height of approximately six inches at maturity, the Blue Mouse Ears hosta is one of the most popular varieties because it is both adorable and space-saving.
Symmetrical cluster of almost succulent-like foliage is formed by the leaves, which may have either a blue or gray-green coloration. During the summer, shady gardens may be accented with a hint of lavender thanks to the short, bell-shaped blooms that tower tall above the leaves.
Because of their small size, they are also well suited for growing in pots or for filling in empty places in rock gardens. Because of their low profile and symmetrical appearance, they are an excellent choice for use as ground cover in shady areas.
Brother Stefan Hosta
Patriarchal Name: Stefan Hosta flowers have green centers surrounded by blue edging. The chartreuse center will eventually turn to gold, and the edge will be green. During the summer, tall spikes of pure white flowers will emerge.
Grow in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9, with partial or full shade and varying degrees of sun shade. Reaching heights of 20 to 24 inches and widths of 24 to 30 inches across when mature.
Brother Stefan is an impressive hosta that looks like a masterpiece. For an even more significant effect, the seeds were sown in large numbers.
Coast To Coast shadowland Hosta
This plant was recognized by Proven Winners as the National Hosta of the Year in 2020, and they presented the award to the plant.
Coast to Coast is an extremely huge cultivar with bright chartreuse leaves, and it has a coloration that is comparable to that of Fire Island. The wavy texture becomes more pronounced as the plant matures, and the leaves take on a more golden hue. In the summer, the plant bears lavender flowers in the form of stars.
These huge plants have an upright growth habit, which makes them suitable for growing in pots; nonetheless, they need a great deal of room in order to spread out in all directions.
Watch Web story: 9 Best Hosta for Shade Garden
Cool As A Cucumber Hosta
This particular cultivar has colors that are almost too vivid to be real, giving the impression that they were painted by hand.
Being as calm as a cucumber The leaves of a hosta are long and pointed, and they peel outwards so that they may fall over each other in a cluster that is light and fragile. Each leaf is marked with thin, light green stripes and is surrounded by thicker, darker green borders, but the signature dazzling white color of the hosta takes center stage.
The lilac-colored blossoms, which have a whitish appearance, are the icing on the cake and make an aesthetic impression in any shade garden.
Curly Fries Hosta
If you did not look at the label on this plant when you found it at the nursery, you would never guess that it is a hosta. The leaf form of Curly Fries is absolutely unique in comparison to that of several other well-known cultivars.
The appearance of the vegetation at this location lives up to its nickname, which describes it as resembling curly fries. When the long chartreuse leaves move in the breeze, they take on a look similar to grass or ferns because of the small ripples that run down their length.
This intriguing cultivar is very compact, with a height that is even lower than that of the little Blue Mouse Ears. It is important to provide this hosta with dappled or partial shade if you want the color to remain vibrant.
Diamond Lake Hosta
If you want to be a leader in gardening and stay ahead of the curve, you need to have a Diamond Lake Hosta in your yard.
The Proven Winners Hosta of the Year for 2022 is going to be this very gorgeous variety, which has blue-green pointed leaves with wavy edges. Your shade garden will have an even greater variety of things to look at thanks to the densely textured and curved leaves.
In addition to all of these advantages, this cultivar is also regarded as premium since it has a high level of resistance to a wide variety of pests and the capacity to adapt to a broad spectrum of growing circumstances.
Deja Blu Hosta
To return to the topic of hostas with intriguing leaf patterns, the exceptional cultivar Deja Blu is one of the few that can compete. The veins in the leaf cores are a bluish-green color, and they are bordered by jagged borders of white that fade into yellow and are finished off with a touch of light green.
This cultivar, which has velvety and glossy leaves, is a sport of Blue Boy. When exposed to some early morning sunlight, the cultivar in question will exhibit different shades that are really one of a kind, drawing your attention each time you go outdoors.
Empress Wu Hosta
Empress Wu is the biggest hosta cultivar now available, and lovers of foliage will like this plant. The Blue Mouse Ears plant as a whole may grow to an amazing height of 4 feet, yet a single leaf can be nearly as large as the whole plant. The waxy coating on the enormous leaves gives them a bluish cast while they are in the early stages of development.
This bluish cast disappears as the leaves mature into a matte deep green color that will mix in very well with the rest of the greenery in your garden. The magnificent show that is Empress Wu is further enhanced by the appearance of flowering stalks that reach a height of five feet.
Fire Island Hosta
The cultivar known as Fire Island has a fascinating bright yellow shade, which is where it gets its name. This plant likes a little amount of direct light for a few hours in the day in order to keep its incredibly vivid color from fading. It is a somewhat compact plant.
When planted amid other foliage plants in gardens with partial shade, the leaves of Fire Island stand out immediately because they are unlike the leaves of any other plant in your garden. Red petioles form the base of the plant, providing a striking contrast to the brilliant yellow, and the color may also be seen seeping slightly into the leaf base. Lavender flowers, which begin to bloom in the middle of summer, provide the cherry on top of the colorful display.
Gold Standard Hosta
Gold Standard is about two inches higher than Paradigm and has a color that is pretty comparable to its appearance. In contrast to Paradigm, which has golden-green cores, Gold Standard has chartreuse leaves that are significantly smaller and more irregularly shaped, and its deep green margins are also more uneven.
This plant was given the coveted Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society because it is the parent of a large number of well-known cultivars. The plant blooms with exquisite pink and purple flowers throughout the summer months, and its leaves become white as the season draws to a close and the petals begin to wither and fall off.
Halcyon Hosta
Some people consider the cultivar known as Halcyon to be the finest blue hosta there is. June is a sport of Halcyon. As the plant grows older, the initially tall and erect leaves transform into the shape of a heart. The leaves have a blue color. Because it has to be shielded from the sun in order to keep its stunning blue covering, this plant is one of the finest possibilities for growth in a very dense shade.
This variety grows to a height of just a few inches and produces tall, violet blooms in the summertime that attract birds and bees to your garden. Plant an appealing foliage plant around the edge of your flower beds to create a border around the area and draw the eye in.
Hudson Bay Hosta
The Hudson Bay Hosta features vivid green and blue margins on its leaves that are surrounded by white-centered foliage. A vigorous grower that, in the summer, produces blooms of a creamy color. Grow in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9, with partial or full shade and varying degrees of sun shade. Grows to a height of 24 to 26 inches and has a spread of 20 to 26 inches. Plant in yard edges or in garden beds.
June Hosta
June is another dwarf hosta that has a lot of personalities. The pattern of this cultivar’s variegation is quite mesmerizing. The margins of the leaves are colored a dark blue-green, while the undersides have alternating bands of brilliant yellow and light green running down the middle. Because of the lack of uniformity in the patterns, every leaf has a somewhat unique appearance.
Due to its dwarf height and status as yet another really well-liked cultivar, this is an absolute need for anybody who collects plants or tends to keep their gardens on the smaller side.
Kiwi Spearmint Hosta
Best hostas for shade – Kiwi Spearmint Hosta
The Kiwi Spearmint hosta has thick, undulating leaves that range in color from white to chartreuse and is quite fragrant. The margins are lime green. Early in the summer, the plant has flowers that range from lavender to a light purple color. Plants may be grown in zones 3 to 9, with varying degrees of sun shade and partial to full shade.
Reaching heights of 16 to 18 inches and widths of 18 to 23 inches across when mature. The Kiwi Spearmint Hosta will transport you to a scene straight out of the tropics. Plants that are resistant to the cold and need little care yet have beautiful colors.
Krossa Regal Hosta
Try a Krossa Regal hosta if you’re not a lover of changing colors and prefer a monochromatic appearance, but you still want a hosta that has a little diversity.
The green leaves, each of which has a tinge of blue on it, are held far more erect by this cultivar than by any other. The whole of the plant condenses into the shape of a vase, which keeps the leaves above the ground. When combined with the enormous size of the plant, which can reach a width of around 6 feet, Krossa Regal is certain to attract attention.
Mighty Mouse Hosta
This cultivar, which is a sport of Blue Mouse Ears, has the same endearingly rounded leaves that are responsible for the plant’s moniker.
But the blue of Mighty Mouse is not at all like the blue of its parent plant in any way. This cultivar stays compact and has few leaves, but it has gorgeous variegation with pale yellow bordering on the leaf margins.
This plant is ideal for use as a colorful ground cover for beds, and it will look absolutely gorgeous when combined with other foliage plants in a big pot and placed on a patio.
Minuteman Hosta
You can’t go wrong with the Hosta ‘Minuteman’ if you want a foliage plant that is certain to attract attention.
This cultivar became well known for its white edges that gradually fade into the dark green cores of the leaves like brushstrokes. The hosta known as Minuteman, which also goes by the name Gold Standard and has been given the Award of Garden Merit, is consistently ranked as one of the most popular varieties sold in nurseries.
In addition to the mesmerizing color patterns, the cupped leaves have a little ripple in them, which creates a unique feel that complements the patterns. In the spring, towering flower spikes emerge, each of which is topped with a gigantic bloom of a lavender hue. These flower spikes are proportionately enormous to the leaves.
Magic Island Hosta
The Enchanted Island Hosta leaves are emerald green on the outside and brilliant yellow in the middle. The golden cores eventually turn into a cream color. Summer flowering Magic Island features purple spikes. Plants may be grown in USDA zones 3 to 8, with partial to full shade and varying degrees of sun shade. Reached a maximum height of 10 to 14 inches, with a spread of 16 to 20 inches. Hummingbirds are drawn to flowering plants. Slugs are unable to chew through the foliage. Strong grower, plant in the garden bed and borders.
Pandora’s Box Hosta
Because it may be difficult to track down this cultivar at your neighborhood garden shop, you should snag it as soon as you see it if you want a hosta that is dense and has beautiful color.
The leaves of Pandora’s Box are a brilliant white color, and they are marked all the way to the borders with splotches of dark green. Although the leaves are much less in length than those of other cultivars (about two inches), there are so many of them that they cover the whole region in dense masses of green and white.
A delicate characteristic that adds a great deal of visual appeal is the little lavender blooms that climb to great heights above the thick foliage.
Paradigm Hosta
Hosta ‘Paradigm’ comes in just a little bigger than Blue Mouse Ears and has an intriguing texture.
This cultivar has enormous leaves that are cup-shaped and golden green in the middle, with deeper emerald green edging that seems almost as if it was painted on by hand. Paradigm has a ruffled structure and lovely white blooms that attract hummingbirds in the summertime. In addition, they have a magnificent hue that is just breathtaking.
One of the characteristics that set apart this cultivar from others is its resilience to pests. Because of its resistance to slugs, Paradigm eliminates a problem that often arises for gardeners when growing hostas.
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Patriot Hosta
Similar to Minuteman, Patriot has emerald-green leaves with white margins around the edges. This particular cultivar, on the other hand, is shorter and only grows to a height of around one meter. Because of this, they are perfect for planting in containers or for filling up bare spots in flower beds so that they may serve as a ground cover.
Blossoms with a bluish-purple color occur above the flowers, but their presence does not draw attention away from the striking leaf variegation. When compared to some of the other cultivars, this one has a rather fast growth rate, making it an excellent choice for impatient gardeners as well as those who need to rapidly fill a space.
Sagae Hosta
Although the hostas with white borders are among the most popular, the pattern may also be found in a wide variety of other colors and in a variety of other color combinations.
This pattern may be seen to its fullest extent in the cultivar Sagae, which is quite popular. The big leaves have iced blue-green cores that are bordered by a golden-yellow edge that seamlessly merges into the heart of the leaf. At the conclusion of the season, these yellow borders will become white, providing you with the opportunity to take advantage of the best of both worlds.
Although it may not grow quite as tall as some of the other enormous kinds, Sagae has a great spread and can reach a mature width of around five feet.
Sum and Substance Hosta
There are several more huge types of hostas besides the blue ones. Sum and Substance is a cultivar whose name says it all and will immediately win over the hearts of anybody who adores hues of yellow and green that are particularly vibrant.
Each leaf has substantial veins, which provide an engaging texture all throughout the monochromatic tone. The size and form are comparable to that of Blue Angel, another relative of the hosta that is brilliant and vivid. This breed is among the most resistant to snails and slugs, which are pests that should be eliminated from your hosta garden as much as possible.
It does need more sunlight than some other cultivars in order to keep its brilliant color, thus gardens that get just partial shade are ideal rather than those that receive complete shade.
Stained Glass Hosta
One of the many varieties of the Guacamole hosta is known as the Stained Glass Hosta. Golden, glossy, and richly veined, the foliage of Stained Glass is suggestive of stained glass in appearance. A dark green border may be seen around the edges of the leaves. In the late summer, fragrant lavender blossoms open their petals. Shaded spaces seem brighter when lavender flowers and greenery are present.
Plants may be grown in zones 3 to 9, with varying degrees of sun shade and partial to full shade. Height reaches a maximum of 14 to 16 inches, and width reaches a maximum of 20 inches. In the garden, choose a spot that is damp yet has good drainage. Planting options include garden beds as well as containers. prefers sandy loam over clay because the sandy soil will offer more air for the plant’s roots.
Touch of Class Hosta
Choose the hosta variety known as Touch of Class if you want a smaller blue plant that still has some personality.
These plants are well-known for their beautiful, glossy blue foliage, and this variety has the same leaves, in addition to a vibrant green core. In comparison to the centers of some of the other striped variations, this one has a much more compact and narrow profile, almost like a racing stripe.
When you plant this cultivar, you will definitely get the most out of both worlds thanks to its fascinating pattern, which is rather distinctive.
Vulcan Hosta
Another species of hosta that may grow tiny to larger in size, Vulcan is prized for its creamy white cores that gradually become a more traditional green color. The crossover between the two hues is even more subtle by patches of creamy yellow and light green that give the leaves a design that is distinct from that of any other cultivar.
In addition to this, Vulcan develops quite rapidly, making it an excellent substitute for some of the white-centered cultivars that mature more slowly.
Whirlwind Hosta
This show-stopping cultivar is loaded with a variety of unexpected characteristics. A whirlwind is a lesser dragon, growing to an average height of one foot and having a width of three feet. The leaves cluster together tightly to provide the illusion of a single, uniform shade of green. The cores of the leaves continue to have this dark green color even if the borders of the leaves continue to have it.
In the spring, the center of the leaves is a dusty white color, but by summer, when the plant is in bloom, the color shifts to a brighter green, and then it eventually becomes a darker green that matches the plant’s edge. This plant also has a rapid growth rate and may easily spread to fill up vacant areas as it expands.
Wolverine Hosta
Try the Wolverine kind of hosta for leaves that are a hybrid of the form of Curly Fries and round-leaved hostas.
The leaves are tall and pointed, and they fan outward from the plant’s core in a flowing fashion. The traditional blue-green tone may be found in the center of the leaves, and it is encircled by a golden yellow that becomes more prominent when the leaves are exposed to more sunlight.
This cultivar is a sport of the Dorset Blue hosta, and it has also been granted an RHS Award of Garden Merit, which validates its status as an essential hosta.
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Best Hostas for shade (Mostly Part Shade)
Afterglow Hosta
Afterglow The leaves of the hosta plant are heart-shaped and spreading, and they are lined with a brilliant yellow margin. The blooms have a funnel shape and a light lavender coloration when they bloom. The flowers bloom between the beginning and middle of summer. Grows in garden regions that are mostly sunny to predominantly shaded in zones 3 to 9. reach a maximum height of 24 inches. It thrives well in neutral or slightly acidic soil conditions. Hummingbirds are drawn to it.
Komodo Dragon Hosta
This large cultivar has a vast spread (up to seven feet), but it stays closer to the ground (3 feet) than some of the other big kids (which may reach heights of up to five feet).
The leaf sizes of the Komodo Dragon stand out from those of other plants since they may reach a stunning 15 inches in length. These huge leaves have a tiny ripple running down the margins, which gives them a distinctive appearance when grouped together. If you give this plant lots of room to spread out, it will quickly cover an entire bed once it gets started.
Old Glory Hosta
A Designer Called Old Glory Hosta flowers to have centers that are fashioned like hearts and are golden yellow. The yellow cores are surrounded by irregular edges that have a dark green color. opted chosen because of its outstanding presence and performance in the garden. In the middle of summer, beautiful foliage is topped with lavender blooms that wave in the breeze.
Blooms from the beginning of summer to the middle of summer. Grows in garden regions that are mostly sunny to predominantly shaded in zones 3 to 8. Growing to a height of 14 inches. Prefers soil that is neutral or slightly acidic in pH. tolerant to both wet and dry conditions in the garden when grown in the shade. Hummingbirds are drawn to it. Allows for planting in confined spaces.
Orange Marmalade Hosta
Orange Marmalade The same hosta plant will go through a variety of color transformations depending on the season. When it first appears in the spring, this hosta has a blue-green border around its green core. After then, it changes to an orange-gold color. After then, the Orange Marmalade transforms into yellow, and then finally into white. A stunning presentation.
Midway through the summer, flowers of a light lavender hue start to develop. It can grow in zones 3 to 8 and prefers full sun to partial shade. Growing to a height of 17 inches. Prefers soil conditions ranging from neutral to acidic. Hummingbirds are drawn to it. Conditions of humidity, shade, and dry shade are all acceptable to it.
Neptune Hosta
Neptune The leaves of the hosta plant have a wavy appearance and are pointy, slender, and wedge-shaped. Taking its name from the deity of both saltwater and freshwater in Greek mythology. In the late summer, the sweeping waves of blue leaves are crowned with lavender flowers that are borne on arching scapes.
A hosta that is resistant to slugs and can be grown in zones 3 to 8. Prefers garden settings that range from mainly sunny to mostly shaded. reaches a maximum height of 24 inches. Likes regular or acidic soil. Hummingbirds are drawn to it. Conditions of high humidity, shade, and dry shade are tolerable for this plant. Grows well in pots and containers.
Rhino Hide Hosta
Rhino Hide The puckered, cupped leaf of a Hosta, also known as Funkia or Plantain Lily, is distinctive. The texture of the foliage is similar to that of the ridged and thick hide of a rhinoceros. The margins are a deep blue and are encircled by thin slashes of a golden-green tint that fade into a light cream tone. Blooms are little, white blooms that come out between the beginning and the middle of summer.
Tough and resistant to slug damage in a significant way. Grows in zones 3 to 9 and in places that are mostly sunny to predominantly shaded. reaches a height of 20 inches. Prefers soil that is neutral or slightly acidic in pH. Hummingbirds are drawn to it. Conditions of humidity, shade, and dry shade are all fine for this plant.
Finally
Here are the 39 Best hostas for shade Garden. There is no way to make a mistake while planting hostas. There are a huge number of options available in terms of color, texture, size, and form, making it a great choice for any gardener.
You are free to plant many cultivars of the same variety together if you discover that more than one variation catches your eye (and I don’t blame you for doing so). Each cultivar thrives best under circumstances that are very similar. If you want a foliage garden that is sure to wow, combine a few shade-loving hostas with a few ferns that have a lot of leaves.
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Hey! I’m Madhuresh, a passionate content creator, and a Plant lover. I created Shiny Plant to explore and learn about new plants. The purpose is to provide simple and effective Gardening Tips. Hope you’ll find this informative.