Hostas: varieties and types with photos and names

Varieties of hosts are presented on the horticultural market in a wide variety. An ornamental plant is popular and looks spectacular on the site due to its beautiful shapes and colors.

What does a hosta flower look like?

A plant called hosta is an ornamental herbaceous perennial from the Asparagus family. You can recognize it by petiolate leaves growing in the form of a basal rosette – wide, rounded, narrow and lanceolate, straight and wavy.

Lush hosta bushes decorate the site

The height of the host can grow from 5 to 150 cm. The flowers of the perennial are tubular, rising above the leaves on long peduncles. Most varieties bloom quite modestly, but there are varieties with bright blooms.

Classification of varieties of hosts

In horticulture, hosta is represented by dozens of varieties. For convenience, they are usually divided in accordance with several classifications. In particular, hosts group:

• by shade – green, yellow, white, two-tone and blue;
• according to the shade of flowering – hostas can bring lilac-violet and white flowers;
• in height – giant, medium in size, miniature and dwarf;
• according to the shape of the leaves – some plants have straight lanceolate or oval leaves, others have wavy and textured leaves.

The plant has many classifications – in size, color, shape

In landscape design, perennial is valued mainly for decorative foliage, and flowering fades into the background.

Varieties of hosta

Any of the hosta varieties belongs to one of the main species. The differences between the species are quite noticeable, so even a novice gardener can easily determine which group the selected perennial belongs to.

Plantain

You can recognize the species by large shiny rounded leaf plates and large white flowers up to 12 cm in length. The color of the plantain variety is light green.

Among the varieties can be noted:

• Honeybells;
  
  

  Honeybells – a typical representative of the plantain species

• Grandiflora.
  
  

  Grandiflora – a beautiful bush of plantain hosta

In height, the view usually does not exceed 45 cm and can spread to the same width.

white-rimmed

A characteristic feature of the species is a wide white border along the edges of juicy green leaves. Notable varieties include:

• 

  Marginata – a variety with a pronounced uneven border

• Alakazam.
  
  

  The waviness of Alakazam foliage is combined with a two-tone shade

Perennial grows on average no more than 30 cm in height and 45 cm in diameter.

straight leaf

The perennial is distinguished by well-developed, straight, upward green leaves and large lilac flowers. Varieties of straight-leaved species are not widely represented, among them are:

• Rectifolia, a straight-leaved appearance in its unchanged form;
  
  

  The straight-leaved view is easily recognizable by the leaf plates

• Hionea, or Chinese.
  
  

  Chionea – a type of straight-leaved hosta

The species belongs to medium height and can reach 85 cm in height and 70 cm in width.

Bloated

A striking feature of the species is the green leaves of an elongated, slightly heart-shaped shape with a pointed tip. The perennial blooms with light purple inflorescences, among the famous varieties are:

• Ventricosis;
  
  

  Ventricose – foliage is green and embossed

• The Univ.
  
  

  Univitata – an example of a swollen appearance

Plant height can exceed 1 m, but there are also less tall varieties.

lanceolate

The variety is easily recognizable by its dark green pointed leaf blades, long and shiny. The perennial blooms mainly with purple flowers, among the varieties it can be noted:

• Cabinet;
  
  

  Kabiten is easily recognizable by its lanceolate foliage.

• Bitsy Green.
  
  

  Bitsy Green – a famous lanceolate variety

It rarely rises above 40 cm in height.

Wavy

In this variety, the oblong leaf plates have an unusual shape, as if they are bent in large waves. In color, the variety can be green, two-color, yellowish, among the varieties they note:

• Variegata;
  
  

  Wavy Variegata curls very strongly

• So Sweet.
  
  

  So Sweet – a variety with wavy leaves

The height depends on the specific plant, but the maximum hosta rises to 80 cm.

Hosta Siebold

Differs in dense, large foliage of bluish color with a wrinkled surface. Among the varieties can be mentioned:

• Elegance;
  
  

  elegans – a typical representative of Siebold’s hosta

• Paul’s Glory.
  
  

  Paul’s Glory – a very beautiful multi-colored variety

Plant height is about 40 cm.

Hosta Fortuna

A plant with elongated bluish or green leaves brings flowers of a lilac hue. Known varieties:

• Aurea;
  
  

  Aurea may have light green or bluish leaves.

• 

  Hyacinthina – a majestic variety of emerald color

In height, the bush can reach 90 cm, in diameter it spreads an average of 50 cm.

Curvaceous

The variety is distinguished by leaf plates that are wavy at the edges, usually with a green center and white edging. Among the varieties can be listed:

• The Mediovariega;
  
  

  The foliage of Mediovariegata is curly and unusual

• Albumomarginata.
  
  

  Albumarginata has a beautiful strip along the edge of the sheet.

Above the ground, the plant rises an average of 70 cm.

The best varieties of hosta

To successfully choose a perennial for the garden, you should familiarize yourself with the popular varieties. It is very difficult to list all varieties, but it is possible to single out the most attractive ones in each category.

Varieties of undersized hosta

A low perennial is used mainly in borders and mixborders in the foreground. Popular varieties:

1. Lakeside Little Taft. The plant rises up to 25 cm above the ground, its leaves are elongated, slightly wavy, with a pointed tip. In spring, the leaf blades are light green along the edges and yellowish in the center, while in summer they become whitish in the middle and bright green along the edge.
   
   

   Lakesy Little Taft – bright leaves are directed upwards

2. Delia. The variety rises 15 cm above the ground, the color of the leaves is green-yellow in the core and green at the edges.
   
   

   Delia leaf plates are darker at the edges

The bright colors of the leaves make the plants noticeable elements of the composition, despite their small size.

Varieties of miniature hostas

Among undersized perennials, it is customary to especially distinguish dwarf varieties:

1. blue ice. The plant rises only 8 cm above the ground, the leaves of the variety are bluish in color, and the bushes spread 20 cm across the width.
   
   

   Blue Ice – a tiny subspecies of hosta

2. Sparky. The height of the variety is on average 10 cm, the diameter is about 20 cm. The color of the leaves is rich green with yellow edging along the edges.
   
   

   Sparky – a miniature variety for the garden and home

Dwarf perennials are often used to create miniature Japanese gardens. You can grow them in pots at home.

Varieties of the middle hosta

Medium-sized perennials are in demand in landscape design. They are often planted along garden paths, decorate the space near the walls of the house.

Common varieties:

1. June. The variety grows on average up to 40 cm, its leaves are dense, bluish-green with yellow tints. It spreads up to 70 cm in diameter.
   
   

   Jun is a very famous subspecies

2. Brim Cup. An ornamental plant has semi-oval corrugated leaves with a light yellow edging and a green middle. The average height of a bush is about 35 cm, bushes can grow up to 75 cm.
   
   

   Bright color Brim Cap attracts attention

Medium-sized varieties are planted both in single compositions and in groups. Different varieties can be combined with each other to obtain especially beautiful flower beds.

Varieties of tall hosta

A special place in garden design is occupied by a large hosta, capable of reaching up to 1 m in height and more. The most common varieties:

1. Dino. The average height of the plant is about 120 cm, the leaves of the perennial are round, rich green in color with a light border around the edges.
   
   

   Dino rises on the site more than 1 m

2. Blue Mammoth. It has corrugated large leaves of a bluish-green color, the leaves are oval in shape. It rises to a height of about 90 cm.
   
   

   Blue Mammoth is a very spreading and large plant.

With the help of such bushes, you can form a low hedge, decorate a wide unoccupied space.

Varieties of large-leaved hosta

Of interest to gardeners are not only tall hostas, but also varieties with large leaves. Wide leaf plates attract the eye, especially if their color is unusual.

Popular varieties of the species:

1. Sam and Substance. Large variety up to 1 m, characterized by rounded
   

   Sam & Substens are valued for their huge foliage

2. Empress Wu. Another high variety up to 1,5 m with leaves up to 50 cm. Wiry, dark green, they slightly stretch upwards. In spring, a bluish tint is discernible on the leaves.
   
   

   The width of Empress Wu sheet plates reaches 0,5 m

Varieties of hosta with wavy leaves

Some of the perennials delight with an unusual leaf structure. Small or large waves go along the edges of the plates, the surface is strongly corrugated.

Allocate perennials:

1. Jade Cascade. A tall perennial stretches on average up to 110 cm, but it attracts attention with its leaf plates. Large and green, they are cut with deep transverse veins, and a large wave passes along their edges, moreover, the leaves themselves are located one above the other in a cascade.
   
   

   Jade Cascade – the foliage of the subspecies descends in a fountain

2. Bone tu Bone. A medium-sized perennial rises 90 cm, has heart-shaped leaves with a corrugated surface and small beautiful waves along the edges. The leaves are yellow-green in color.
   
   

   Coast to Coast is distinguished by fine wavy foliage

When planted in the garden, wavy varieties hold the eye on themselves and make you take a closer look at the composition of which they serve as an element.

Varieties of hosta with non-standard leaf color

Most hostas have light, dark green or slightly yellowish foliage, sometimes with white streaks along the edges or in the middle. But there are also varieties with a bright original shade – rich yellow, white or blue:

1. White Feather. A very showy variety with milky white young foliage. By the middle of summer, the hosta begins to turn green, but in the first months it stands out in the garden as a very noticeable white spot.
   
   

   White Feather is a unique white variety

2. Golden Medallion. A plant up to 50 cm high has rounded foliage, yellowish-green in spring, and after mid-July – almost pure yellow.
   
   

   Golden Medallion pleases with rich yellowness

3. Cadet. An unusual emerald-blue hosta up to 50 m tall, with large corrugated leaf plates.
   
   

   Cadet – bluish variety

Varieties of flowering hosta

Most hostas have lilac, mauve, or purple flowers. In appearance, they are rather plain and do not have much value. But some varieties are able to please with an interesting flowering:

1. Invincible. Bright green hosta with elongated foliage in July and August produces abundant bluish bell-shaped flowers. The plant rises 50 cm above the ground, in flowering form it looks very elegant.
   
   

   Invincible produces bluish and lilac flowers

2. Fried Green Tomatos. Olive green perennial from August to October, blooms with lavender flowers with a pleasant aroma. A low plant up to 35 cm decorates flower beds at a time when most perennials are already finishing flowering.
   
   

   Fried Green Tomatos blooms very profusely

The advantage of flowering hostas is their increased decorativeness. Such varieties can be used more widely by combining them with plants that bloom in the same period.

Hostas with white flowers

Perennials that produce bright white flowers deserve special mention:

1. Royal Standard. Medium-sized hosta, about 70 cm, has oval green leaves. In August, the plant produces numerous snow-white flowers with a jasmine scent, which last until October.
   
   

   Royal Standard – a rare subspecies with white flowering

2. Blue Angel. A beautiful bluish-green plant rises to 1 m, and from July brings abundant white flowers with a slight purple tint. The period of maximum decorativeness lasts until September.
   
   

   The color of the Blue Angel is greenish-blue, and the flowers are white.

White-blooming varieties are highly valued because the flowers stand out especially brightly against the background of green and bluish leaves.

New varieties of hosta for 2020

Breeders regularly produce fresh varieties of perennial plants. In 2020, gardening stores are announcing new varieties of hostas:

1. Bullet Proof. The new species has thick bluish leaves, about 45 cm in height, suitable for growing in shady and illuminated areas.
   
   

   Bullet Proof – one of the new bluish varieties

2. Christmas Pageant. A medium-sized novelty up to 70 cm is distinguished by dark green, highly corrugated leaf plates with a yellowish border around the edges.
   
   

   Christmas Pageant – a decorative novelty from the “Christmas” series

The care requirements for new products are standard, so it will not be difficult for gardeners to grow young varieties.

The most beautiful varieties of host

Any hostas are very beautiful in landscape design. But it is possible to single out varieties especially beloved by gardeners:

1. Fireworks. Low perennial about 35 cm with narrow wavy leaves directed vertically. The coloration of the leaves
   

   Fireworks look like white and green fireworks above the ground

2. Liberty. A large bush up to 70 cm with bluish-green foliage with a bright creamy yellow border, the leaves are large and dense.
   
   

   Liberty is a very bright and juicy subspecies

The beauty of one kind or another remains a subjective concept. When choosing, you need to focus only on your own taste.

Rare host varieties

Some varieties are very beautiful, but you can rarely meet them at their summer cottage:

1. Fire and Ice. Perennial up to 40 cm tall, with decorative leaves, where the white center is combined with dark green edges.
   
   

   Fire and Ice – a beautiful but rare variety

2. Spartan Arrow. A very unusual species with long narrow leaves with a dark green color and strongly wavy edges. It rises above the ground by 20 cm.
   
   

   You can recognize the Spartan Arrow by its strongly wavy foliage.

With many bicolor perennials, the leaves change color when exposed to light, so it can be difficult to maintain the full decorative effect of the plant when grown in the garden.

Hybrid varieties of hosta

Basically, the varietal diversity of perennials is represented precisely by hybrids:

1. Beach Fight. Although the leaves of the plant are oval, their coloration is two-tone, which is more typical for wavy and lanceolate species – with a yellowish middle and bright green at the edges. It reaches 45 cm in height.
   
   

   Beach Boy – a hybrid popular in the garden

2. Line and Spice. A medium-sized bush about 50 cm is interesting in that the light narrow border on its green leaves is irregular and intermittent, while the leaves are slightly corrugated. The perennial is similar at the same time to the plantain and white-edged hosta.
   
   

   Suga & Spice is distinguished by shiny leaves with a yellow border.

Hybrid plants combine the characteristics of different species, and that is why they are so attractive.

Variety selection rules

When choosing a decorative perennial, you need to rely mainly on your preferences. But there are a few general rules:

1. For shady areas of the garden, it is recommended to choose perennials with green or bluish leaves. Plant blue species in the sun
   

   Dark hostas tolerate shaded areas better

2. Yellow and white perennials can be planted in lighted areas. In the sun, they look more advantageous and also grow better, although light shading should still remain.
   
   

   In the light, yellow and milky-white varieties retain their color well.

Conclusion

Hosta varieties are a whole world of diverse and dissimilar ornamental plants. On the site with the help of perennials, you can create very spectacular compositions, both large and very miniature.