If you're looking for an impressive and unusual specimen, Hosta Shadowland® 'Empress Wu,' a tribute to the only female emperor in Chinese history, certainly fits the bill. One of the largest Hostas available, dark green 'Empress Wu' matures to a height of 4′ in about 5 years. Flower scapes with light lavender blooms stick their noses just above the foliage. A Proven Winners® variety. PP 20,774
This genus of shade lovers has 70 species, all of them from China and Japan, and hybridizers have produced hundreds of exciting crosses. Hostas have many handsome leaf colorations and lavender or white Lily-like flowers on graceful stalks. Plants prefer a moist location, but we've had a mass planting thrive for more than 30 years under a row of Sugar Maples. (In the South and West, evenly moist soil is required.) Because Hostas are grown primarily for their foliage, we give the height of the leaves, not the flowers.
For more information on growing Hostas, click Growing Guide.
