Leaf Color

There are 13 major colors or color combinations of hostas.  Leaf color can vary from one variety of hosta to another and often even leaf to leaf. Color can vary depending upon how much and the type of sun the hosta receives each day. More sun typically causes the colors of a hosta to look more “bleached” or washed out. Medio variegated hostas (those with a lighter colored center) need a certain amount of sun to grow well and thrive. This is because they have less chlorophyll than solid green colors. Blue hostas are actually green underneath their wax. They look blue because they have genetics that create extra wax on the outside of the leaves. Hostas vary in the amount of wax and blueness to them and these distinct blue colors can change or fade in more sun or rain and wind because the wax can melt or be removed. Leaf color can also vary depending upon the pH level of the soil, type of soil and other characteristics. If you have a favorite hosta, grow it in two or three different sun conditions to see its varied looks. Leaves underneath do not get as much sun as leaves on the surface, and are often a different color. Same for parts of the plant that gets more light than other parts of the plant.

Blue Green:

H. "Blue Silver"

Blue Margin, White Center:

H. "Moonstruck"

Blue Margin, Yellow Center:

H. "Lakeside Beach Captain"

Green:

H. "Amanuma"

Green Margin, Green Center:

H. "Dylan's Dilly"

Green Margin, White Center:

H. "Apple Court"

Green Margin, Yellow Center:

H. "Captain Kirk"

Irregular Variation:

H. "Allegan Fog"

White Margin, Blue Center:

H. "Forest Fire"

White Margin, Green Center:

H. "Bob Olson"

White Margin, Yellow Center:

H. "Delta Dawn"

Yellow:

H. "Sun Power"

Yellow Green:

H. "Alpine Aire"

Yellow Margin, Blue Center:

H. "Brave Amherst"

Yellow Margin, Green Center:

H. "Bill Brincka"