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Hosta blue is an indispensable attribute of a shady garden area. Its blue leaves create a romantic atmosphere on the site. Varieties of different height, structure and shade are used in creating unusual decorative compositions. The main advantage of the blue hosta is that it does not require complex care.
Blue hosta ennobles shady areas
Benefits of Growing Blue Hostas
First of all, the blue hosta is loved for its unusual color. Attracts the splendor of the bush and the beautiful shape of the leaves. This is one of the few crops that are not afraid of shade from trees and shrubs. It retains its decorative effect until the end of the season, grows for years in one place and does not require special attention.
A variety of blue hostas allows the owner of the site to show his design taste. They are in harmony with most garden plants. With low and medium varieties of blue hosts, it is easy to create various compositions: monoflower beds, flower beds, rockeries, rock gardens, borders and mixborders. Large specimens look great in single plantings.
The best varieties of blue hostas
Blue hostas are striking in their diversity. Miniature varieties rise 7-10 cm above the ground. The height of giant hosts exceeds 1 m. The size, color and shape of the leaves, and the shape of the bush differ. Some varieties develop as an inverted cone, others create a domed bush, and still others grow wide. All of them attract attention with an unusual structure and color, but some are especially fond of gardeners.
Blue Angel
One of the best varieties of hosta with a domed squat bush. The leaves are blue-green, striated with veins, slightly corrugated, large – 40 cm long and 30 cm wide. The diameter of the bush reaches 120 cm, it grows up to 80 cm, and in especially favorable conditions – up to 1 m. White or light lavender flowers appear in July on a peduncle 120 cm high. The variety tolerates frost and drought well. Great for solo landings.
Blue Angel is ideal as a tapeworm
blue bowl
A bush with large, textured and dense, dove-colored leaves, which is decorated with white flowers from mid-summer. The height of the hosta reaches 70 cm, which is why it is often placed at the back of group plantings. Leaves of an unusual shape: curved in the form of a bowl. Due to their density, hostas are rarely attacked by pests and diseases.
The shape of the leaves of the hosta “Blue Bowl” corresponds to the name
Baby Bunting
One of the best dwarf varieties of blue hosta 15-25 cm high. The bush is dense, the width reaches 38 cm. The leaves are miniature (6×7 mm), heart-shaped. At the beginning of the growing season, they are blue-green in color with light veins, turning green towards the end. In the middle of the season, lavender inflorescences form. “Baby Bunting” is perfect for rockeries and container plantings.
The leaves of the hosta “Baby Bunting” turn green at the end of the growing season.
Blue Ivory
This variety strikes with the beauty of the leaf: it is bluish-blue with cream edges. The bush is gaining mass at an average pace. It reaches its full size – 40 cm in height and 1 m in width – in the middle of summer. Then it forms blue inflorescences. The leaves are heart-shaped, slightly elongated, reach a length of 25 cm. The plant is highly winter-hardy – it can be grown in zone 2. Designers often make it the centerpiece of shady flower beds.
Variety “Blue Ivory” fell in love with gardeners for the beauty of color
Blueberry Ala Mode
The height of the bush reaches 65 cm. The leaves are round, wrinkled, shaped like a bowl. The overall blue-green background is complemented by a thin beige border. The flowers are white. It goes well with other crops in the garden.
The plant goes well with other cultures.
Blue Cadet
The main advantage of this blue hosta is in a deep blue-green hue. Small leaves (10×13 cm) are heart-shaped. In the second half of summer, lavender flowers bloom on tall peduncles. The bush grows 70 cm wide and 40 cm high. Designers use the Blue Cadet blue hosta to frame flowerbeds and flowerbeds, and also plant along the paths.
“Blue Cadet” – one of the bluest varieties of hosta
Blu Maus Iérs
A dwarf hosta resembling many mouse ears. The foliage is very dense, small, oval. The height of an adult plant is 30-40 cm. In July, an ornament appears in the form of lavender inflorescences. Blue Mouse Years is great for rockeries, rock gardens and growing in containers.
The flowering period of the plant is July and August
Blue Ambrellas
Large blue-green foliage resembles umbrellas in shape and reaches a size of 30×25 cm. The height of an adult vase-shaped plant is 1 m, width is 1 m. Lavender-colored flowers. It tolerates winter well without shelter. In design, it is used as a tapeworm or background of multi-tiered flower beds.
“Blue Ambrellas” looks great in a single landing
Big Daddy
One of the best representatives of the blue hosta. Lush bushes 50-65 cm high in July form blue inflorescences. The foliage is large (30×20 cm) with pointed ends. The corrugated surface increases the decorativeness of the plant. Good resistance to diseases and pests, tolerates great frosts. “Big Daddy” will decorate any garden with its unusual appearance.
“Big Daddy” is particularly decorative
Blue Shadows
Appeared on the market recently. The sight of an adult plant in the garden is breathtaking. The leaves are round, dense with a wax coating and pronounced veins. The dark green background of the surface is diluted with a dark yellow middle. The bush grows slowly, in adulthood it reaches 40-45 cm. Blue Shadows is actively used for mono-flowers, borders and rock gardens. They look great near a pond.
Hosta ‘Blue Shadows’ attracts attention with its unusual cup-shaped foliage.
Rhythm and blues
Spectacular miniature blue hosta for growing in containers and flower beds. Small elongated foliage with pointed ends is directed upwards and has a dense structure. In August-September, delicate lavender inflorescences appear. The height of the bush reaches 25 cm, diameter – 60 cm.
The long leaves of Rhythm and Blues are ideal for a container.
Blue Mammos
One of the largest representatives of blue hostas. Large wide oval-shaped leaves with a corrugated surface look spectacular. Plant height – 90 cm, diameter – 150 cm. The usual color for the group is gray-blue. The flowers are lilac or white, decorate the bush for a long time. The variety is very hardy to different environmental conditions and natural enemies.
The value of “Blue Mammos” in the size of the leaves and endurance
Parisian Silk
The Paris Silk Hosta is an extremely gentle member of its species. An unusual rich blue color with a silvery coating on the central vein impresses. The round shape of the foliage and pale pink flowers also delight the eye with sophistication. Weight gain is slow, the maximum height is 45 cm.
“Parisian Silk” – one of the most delicate representatives of the species
Love Pet
“Love Pet” is considered one of the bluest hostas. Round wrinkled leaves resemble spoons in their shape. The bush grows up to 60 cm in height, while the growth of mass occurs at an average pace. The flowers are light lavender in color. A feature of the variety is the ability to maintain a rich color even in sunny areas.
Features of the variety appear already in the first years of life after planting.
Crush Regal
The vase-shaped bush grows 1,5 m wide and reaches 70 cm in height. The foliage is blue-green, wide and dense, size – 30×20 cm. Blue-violet inflorescences appear in the second half of summer. The variety is suitable for single planting. It is widely used in the creation of bouquets. Excellent resistance to climatic changes and severe frosts.
From the leaves of “Krossa Regal” make charming bouquets
Bressingham Blue
The symmetrical vase-shaped shrub grows up to 50 cm tall and grows 60 cm wide. Growth is fast. A wrinkled leaf, 15×10 cm in size, has a green color with a blue tint. In mid-summer, large white inflorescences bloom. Hardy to the 3rd zone of frost resistance (-40 °C). Looks great in single plantings and monoflowers.
It is not recommended to plant a plant where precipitation often falls.
Smoke signals
Srednerosly lush bush with narrow foliage. “Smoke Signals” is aptly named for the top coat that creates the effect of a dusty surface. The direction of the plant is vertical. Height – 40-45 cm. Flowering begins in June-July.
‘Smoke Signals’ foliage appears dusty
Fragrant Blue
The height of an adult bush is 30-40 cm, it grows in breadth by 60 cm. The leaves are heart-shaped, bluish-blue, up to 15 cm long. The color of the inflorescences is lilac. Hosta is great for planting on lawns, rockeries, flower beds and containers. Under the scorching sun, burns form on the leaves.
Host “Fragrant Blue” is universal in use
Canadian Blue
The height of the curtain is 30 cm, width – 40 cm. Leaves measuring 20×16 cm fall in a beautiful cascade. They have a rich blue-blue color, a dense structure and a thick wax coating. The color saturation of the variety pleases throughout the season. Lavender blossoms appear at the end of summer. Designers are planting Canadian Blue hostas under trees, growing them in containers, and making them part of borders.
“Canadian Blue” has a very beautiful bush structure
Halcyon
The blue of the Halcyon hosta creates a fabulous mood. The heart-shaped leaves have deep longitudinal grooves and are distinguished by a dense structure. Reach 16 cm long and 10 cm wide. A blue coating on a green surface is intensely manifested. The bush reaches 50 cm in height, spreads over 70 cm. Purple flowers appear in July or August, exuding a pleasant aroma. “Halcyone” goes well with coniferous and fern representatives of the flora.
Hosta variety “Halcyone” gets along well with coniferous crops and ferns
Hostas with blue leaves in landscape design
Undemanding, longevity and variety of blue hostas allows you to create a variety of compositions in the backyard. In combination with geyher, carnations, lungwort, aquilegia, geraniums and cuffs, magnificent borders are obtained. For such compositions, fast growing hosts are used. In borders and mixborders, they are planted in the foreground, picking varieties up to 30 cm.
Varieties of blue hosta up to 20 cm high become an excellent backdrop for flowering plants in rockeries or rock gardens. Blue hostas fit perfectly into forest-style plantings. They will be in place in a natural flower garden with vertical elements: ornamental grasses, cottonwort, black cohosh, vesicle, vine, echinacea and a variety of umbrellas.
In spacious monoplants, blue hostas are also great. A good solution would be to land them on the lawn. An enchanting atmosphere is created by varieties of large hostas next to garden sculptures. Bushes 30-45 cm in a single planting or flower garden look great near the pond. Blue-leaved hostas coexist well with conifers. They look spectacular in contrasting combinations with volzhanka, brunners, kupens and daylilies. The composition of the blue hosta with flowering stilba successfully completes the masonry. The shade needed by the culture can be created with a rose, echinacea, or black cohosh.
Planting and caring for blue hostas
The blue hosta thrives best in the shade of tall shrubs and trees. In the open sun, the leaves will lose their bluish tint, turning green. The soil needs slightly acidic, moist, with good drainage. Hostas don’t like drafts. The distance between adjacent plants should be at least 80 cm.
Landing is carried out in several stages:
- The soil is loosened by 30 cm and mixed with complex fertilizer.
- They dig a hole and create a drainage layer of 10-20 cm.
- Straighten the roots in the pit and cover with earth to the root neck.
- Compact the soil and cover with mulch.
- Abundantly watered.
For blue hosta, timely watering is important. If the ground dries out, the edges of the leaves will darken. Water should be poured under the root, lifting the top. Mulching the soil helps maintain moisture levels.
Top dressing of blue hosts is carried out from the second year, starting from spring and ending with the middle of summer. Granules of complex fertilizer are scattered at the roots. In autumn, the trunk circle is mulched with compost. The beautiful shape of the bush is maintained by removing fresh flower stalks. Before frost, the leaves are completely cut off. Hostas are propagated by root division and cuttings.
Diseases and pests
Most often, the blue host is affected by fungal diseases. Phyllosticosis appears on a frozen plant after winter. It is identified by brown spots on the leaves. Anthracnose develops from excess moisture and lack of nutrients. It appears as brown spots on the foliage. Fungal diseases are successfully fought with the help of fungicides.
There is no cure for viral diseases. If yellow spots appear on the leaves, the blue host should be carefully removed from the area. Nearby soil and tools should be disinfected to avoid infecting garden plants.
The blue hosta has many pests:
- aphid;
- nematode;
- caterpillars;
- mice;
- snails and slugs.
Conclusion
Hosta blue harmonizes with many ornamental crops. Tall varieties are planted on lawns or near a pond, undersized varieties are planted in multi-tiered compositions. They perfectly complement natural woodland plantings. Against the background of the blue leaves of the blue hosta, plants with bright flowering look great. For the successful development of the hosta, you need a fertile, slightly acidic soil with good drainage. In the abundance of sun, the leaves change color and may dry out.
