Hosta Varieties: 20+ Of The Best (Not Boring) Plaintain Lilies For Your Garden

|

There are so many types of Hostas that come in all different sizes, textures and colors, it’s hard to know which ones to choose. So we narrowed the list down to the best Hosta varieties that all look beautiful in the garden (no boring ones here!)

20+ beautiful (not boring) hosta varieties

Hostas (also called Plaintain Lily or Funkia) are one of the most common plants in home gardens for a reason.

They’re easy to grow and they thrive in the shade. (You can find out more about growing Hostas HERE.)

However they do have a bit of a reputation as a boring plant.

To be honest, some of the common varieties that you see everywhere aren’t all that exciting to look at.

But did you know that there are over 2500 different varieties of Hostas?

That’s a lot of options to choose from. And they’re not all boring!

Some have very fragrant flowers, many will attract hummingbirds, and most have gorgeous leaves that will add color to your garden from spring to fall.

There’s even a few that will grow in the sun.

If you’re not sure where to begin in picking out your Hosta varieties, I don’t blame you! With so many varieties to choose from, it’s hard to narrow the list.

To give you a head start, I’ve listed my favorite Hosta varieties. And added a link to where you can order them online (most only ship to the United States).

The Hosta Varieties Lists

This post may contain affiliate links. We make a small commission if you buy the products from these links (at no extra cost to you). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. But we only recommend products we would use ourselves. For more information, click here to see our disclosures.

If you already know what you’re looking for, use these links to skip down to that section:

Best Hostas For Deep Shade

Hosta 'Sagae' ©vodolej - stock.adobe.com
Hosta ‘Sagae’ ©vodolej – stock.adobe.com

While Hostas in general grow well in the shade, this list is particularly good at surviving even in the deep shade parts of your garden.

  • Blue Mouse Ears – miniature hosta that grows to 7″ tall and 11″ wide with thick, rounded, slug-resistant, blue-green to gray-green leaves. American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year 2008. (Find it here*)
  • Patriot – medium Hosta that grows up to 20″ tall and 30″ wide with leaves that have deep green centers and wide, irregular white margins. American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year 1997. (Buy it here*).
  • Hosta sieboldiana ‘Frances Williams’ – large Hosta growing up to 24″ tall and 60″ wide with large blue-green leaves variegated with irregular greenish-yellow margins. (Buy it here*).
  • Sagae – giant Hosta that grows to 31″ tall and 70″ wide with spectacular large blue-green leaves that have a creamy white edge. American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year 2000. (Find it here*)

Best Hostas For Sun

Sun-tolerant Hosta 'Sum and Substance' ©juliedeshaies - stock.adobe.com
Sun-tolerant Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’ ©juliedeshaies – stock.adobe.com

While many Hostas have leaves that burn in the sun, and just don’t look happy, these yellow-leaved varieties actually need some sun to keep the bright color in their leaves.

Note: While all of these Hostas will survive in the sun, they will do better if they get some shade during the hottest part of the afternoon, especially if you live in the South.

  • Sun Mouse – miniature Hosta growing to 6″ tall and 12″ wide with bright yellow, rounded leaves that can take more sun than most Hostas (Buy it here*)
  • Stained Glass – medium Hosta that grows to 15″ high and 45″ wide and sports brilliant gold leaves with wide, dark green margins and light purple flowers. It is sun tolerant. American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year 2006. (Find it here*)
  • Sun Power – large Hosta that grows to 28″ high and 60″ wide with rippled yellow leaves and lavender flowers, and is sun tolerant (as you can probably tell by the name) (Buy it here*)
  • Sum and Substance – giant Hosta growing to 30″ high and 60″ wide with brilliant yellow, slug-resistant leaves and fragrant white flowers that does quite well in the sun. American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year 2004. (Find it here*)

Slug Resistant Hosta Varieties

Hosta 'June' ©Marina - stock.adobe.com
Hosta ‘June’ ©Marina – stock.adobe.com

For the most slug-resistant Hostas, look for the varieties that have thick, waxy leaves like the varieties on this list do.

  • Blue Mouse Ears – miniature Hosta that grows to 7″ tall and 11″ wide with thick, rounded, slug-resistant, blue-green to gray-green leaves. American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year 2008. (Find it here*)
  • June – medium sized Hosta growing to 16″ tall and 37″ wide with gorgeous multi-toned chartreuse and green leaves that are also slug-resistant. American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year 2001. (Buy it here*)
  • Halcyon – medium Hosta growing to 18″ tall and 43″ wide with heart-shaped blue leaves and violet flowers. (Find it here*).
  • Sum and Substance – giant Hosta growing to 30″ high and 60″ wide with brilliant yellow, slug-resistant leaves and fragrant white flowers that does quite well in the sun. American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year 2004. (Find it here*)
  • Blue Angel – giant Hosta that grows to 36″ high and 48″ wide with large silvery-blue, slug-resistant leaves and white flowers (Buy it here*).

Fragrant Hosta Varieties

'Guacamole' - Hosta of the Year 2002 ©Peremet - stock.adobe.com
‘Guacamole’ – Hosta of the Year 2002 ©Peremet – stock.adobe.com

The Hostas in this list do double duty – they have gorgeous leaves and fragrant flowers.

  • Etched Glass – medium Hosta that grows to 18″ tall and 36″ wide that has golden leaves outlined with light green and dark green borders. Fragrant white flowers appear in late summer. (Find it here*).
  • Fragrant Bouquet – medium Hosta growing to 22″ tall and 48″ wide that has apple green foliage with wide cream margins and fragrant white flowers in late summer. American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year 1998. (Buy it here*.)
  • Guacamole – large Hosta growing to 24″ tall and 54″ wide that has apple green foliage with dark green borders and fragrant white flowers in late summer. American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year 2002. (Find it here*).

Best Blue Hostas

Hosta 'Halcyon' ©Ruckszio - stock.adobe.com
Hosta ‘Halcyon’ ©Ruckszio – stock.adobe.com

These blue-leaved Hostas make a beautiful addition to any shade garden.

  • Blue Mouse Ears – miniature Hosta that grows to 7″ tall and 19″ wide with thick, rounded, slug-resistant, blue-green to gray-green leaves. American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year 2008. (Find it here*).
  • Halcyon – medium Hosta growing to 18″ tall and 43″ wide with heart-shaped blue leaves and violet flowers. (Find it here*).
  • Blue Angel – giant Hosta that grows to 36″ high and 48″ wide with large silvery-blue, slug-resistant leaves and white flowers (Buy it here*).

Yellow Hostas

yellow-leaved Hosta 'stained glass' ©vodolej - stock.adobe.com
Hosta ‘stained glass’ ©vodolej – stock.adobe.com

As I mentioned above, yellow-leaved Hostas usually need more sun than other types in order to maintain the bright color of their leaves.

  • Sun Mouse – miniature Hosta growing to 6″ tall and 12″ wide with bright yellow, rounded leaves that can take more sun than most Hostas (Buy it here*)
  • Stained Glass – medium Hosta that grows to 15″ high and 45″ wide and sports brilliant gold leaves with wide, dark green margins and light purple flowers. It is sun tolerant. American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year 2006. (Find it here*)
  • Sun Power – large Hosta that grows to 28″ high and 60″ wide with rippled yellow leaves and lavender flowers, and is sun tolerant (as you can probably tell by the name) (Buy it here*)
  • Sum and Substance – giant Hosta growing to 30″ high and 60″ wide with brilliant yellow, slug-resistant leaves and fragrant white flowers that does quite well in the sun. American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year 2004. (Find it here*)

White Hostas

Hosta 'White Feathers' ©Marta Jonina - stock.adobe.com
Hosta ‘White Feathers’ ©Marta Jonina – stock.adobe.com

White Hostas can be a little tricky since they need some sun to keep their white color, but too much sun will burn the leaves.

  • Curly Fries – miniature Hosta that grows to 6″ tall and 16″ wide with rippled, narrow leaves that start out a chartreuse color and then mature to creamy yellow. American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year 2016. (Find it here*).
  • White Feather – small-sized Hosta that grows to 10″ tall and 12 to 18″ wide with leaves that open white and then mature to light green. (Buy it here*).

Variegated Hostas

White variegated Hosta undulata 'Medio Variegata'
White variegated Hosta undulata ‘Medio Variegata’

The bright colors in the leaves of these variegated Hostas really stand out in the shade garden.

  • Fire and Ice– small Hosta that grows to 12″ tall and 18″ wide with a bright flame-shaped white streak down the center of dark green leaves and purple flowers (Find it here*)
  • June – medium sized Hosta growing to 16″ tall and 37″ wide with gorgeous multi-toned chartreuse and green leaves that are also slug-resistant. American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year 2001. (Buy it here*).
  • Hosta undulata ‘Mediovariegata’ – medium Hosta that grows to 18″ tall and 36″ wide with beautiful two-toned green leaves and a bright white stripe down the middle (Buy it here*)
  • Patriot – medium Hosta that grows up to 20″ tall and 30″ wide with leaves that have deep green centers and wide, irregular white margins. American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year 1997. (Buy it here*).
  • Fragrant Bouquet – medium Hosta growing to 22″ tall and 48″ wide that has apple green foliage with wide cream margins and fragrant white flowers in late summer. American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year 1998. (Buy it here*.)
  • Guacamole – large Hosta growing to 24″ tall and 54″ wide that has apple green foliage with dark green borders and fragrant white flowers in late summer. American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year 2002. (Find it here*).
  • Sagae – giant Hosta that grows to 31″ tall and 70″ wide with spectacular large blue-green leaves that have a creamy white edge. American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year 2000. (Find it here*).

Miniature Hosta Varieties

Miniature Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' ©cristographic - stock.adobe.com
Miniature Hosta ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ ©cristographic – stock.adobe.com

These miniature Hostas are up to 8″ tall making them the perfect size for the front of shade borders, containers and rock gardens.

  • Sun Mouse – miniature Hosta growing to 6″ tall and 12″ wide with bright yellow, rounded leaves that can take more sun than most Hostas (Buy it here*)
  • Curly Fries – miniature Hosta that grows to 6″ tall and 16″ wide with rippled, narrow leaves that start out a chartreuse color and then mature to creamy yellow. American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year 2016. (Find it here*).
  • Blue Mouse Ears – miniature hosta that grows to 8″ tall and 19″ wide with thick, rounded, slug-resistant, blue-green to gray-green leaves. American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year 2008. (Find it here*)

Small Hosta Varieties

Hosta 'Fire and Ice' ©Sunshine - stock.adobe.com
Hosta ‘Fire and Ice’ ©Sunshine – stock.adobe.com

These small Hostas are between 8″ and 14″ tall and are the perfect size for containers, raised beds and the front of the border.

  • White Feather – small-sized Hosta that grows to 10″ tall and 12 to 18″ wide with leaves that open white and then mature to light green. (Buy it here*).
  • Fire and Ice – small Hosta that grows to 12″ tall and 18″ wide with a bright flame-shaped white streak down the center of dark green leaves and purple flowers (Find it here*)
  • Designer Genes – small Hosta that grows to 12″ tall and 28″ wide with yellow leaves that contrast against its red stems. (Buy it here*).

Medium Hosta Varietes

Variegated Hosta 'Patriot' ©Garden Guru - stock.adobe.com
Variegated Hosta ‘Patriot’ ©Garden Guru – stock.adobe.com

These medium-sized Hostas are 15″ to 22″ tall and work well as ground cover under larger bushes and small trees.

  • Stained Glass – medium Hosta that grows to 15″ high and 45″ wide and sports brilliant gold leaves with wide, dark green margins and light purple flowers. It is sun tolerant. American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year 2006. (Find it here*)
  • June – medium-sized Hosta growing to 16″ tall and 37″ wide with gorgeous multi-toned chartreuse and green leaves that are also slug-resistant. American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year 2001. (Buy it here*)
  • Hosta undulata ‘Mediovariegata’ – medium-sized Hosta that grows to 18″ tall and 36″ wide with beautiful two-toned green leaves and a bright white stripe down the middle (Buy it here*)
  • Patriot – medium Hosta that grows up to 20″ tall and 30″ wide with leaves that have deep green centers and wide, irregular white margins. American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year 1997. (Buy it here*).

Large Hostas

Hosta 'Gold Standard' ©luckat - stock.adobe.com
Hosta ‘Gold Standard’ ©luckat – stock.adobe.com

These large Hostas are 23″ to 29″ tall and make great specimen plants or accents on the shaded side of a shrub border.

  • Gold Standard – large Hosta growing to 22″ tall and 36″ wide with seersuckered, yellow-green leaves that have irregular dark green margins and may fade to white by the end of the summer. Pinkish lavender flowers in mid summer. (Get it here*).
  • Fragrant Bouquet – large Hosta growing to 22″ tall and 48″ wide that has apple green foliage with wide cream margins and fragrant white flowers in late summer. American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year 1998. (Buy it here*.)
  • Hosta sieboldiana ‘Frances Williams’ – large Hosta growing up to 24″ tall and 60″ wide with large blue-green leaves variegated with irregular greenish-yellow margins. (Buy it here*).
  • Sun Power – large Hosta that grows to 28″ high and 60″ wide with rippled yellow leaves and lavender flowers, and is sun tolerant (as you can probably tell by the name) (Buy it here*)

Giant Hostas

Giant Hosta 'Blue Angel' ©Alexander - stock.adobe.com
Giant Hosta ‘Blue Angel’ ©Alexander – stock.adobe.com

Giant Hostas are over 29″ tall and are big enough to go at the back of your shade border. They will really make a statement in your garden.

  • Empress Wu – one of the largest Hostas in existence growing 4′ to 5′ tall and wide with huge blue-green leaves. (Buy it here*).
  • Sum and Substance – giant Hosta growing to 30″ high and 60″ wide with brilliant yellow, slug-resistant leaves and fragrant white flowers that does quite well in the sun. American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year 2004. (Find it here*)
  • Blue Angel – giant Hosta that grows to 36″ high and 48″ wide with large silvery-blue, slug-resistant leaves and white flowers (Buy it here*).
  • Sagae – giant Hosta that grows to 31″ tall and 70″ wide with spectacular large blue-green leaves that have a creamy white edge. American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year 2000. (Find it here*)

Hostas of the Year

Every year since 1996, the American Hosta Growers Association has voted for the Hosta of the Year.

These plants are selected because they are good garden varieties for all regions of the country, are widely available for purchase, and sell for about $15 in the year of selection.

Which makes any of them a great option for your garden.

2021 – Rainbow’s End
2020 – Dancing Queen
2019 – Lakeside Paisley Print
2018 – World Cup
2017 – Brother Stefan
2016 – Curly Fries
2015 – Victory
2014 – Abiqua Drinking Gourd
2013 – Rainforest Sunrise
2012 – Liberty
2011 – Praying Hands
2010 – First Frost
2009 – Earth Angel
2008 – Blue Mouse Ears
2007 – Paradigm
2006 – Stained Glass
2005 – Striptease
2004 – Sum and Substance
2003 – Regal Splendor
2002 – Guacamole
2001 – June
2000 – Sagae
1999 – Paul’s Glory
1998 – Fragrant Bouquet
1997 – Patriot
1996 – So Sweet

You can find pictures with a short description of all of these varieties HERE.

Proven Winners Hostas Of The Year

In 2019, Proven Winners started their Hosta of the Year award.

They choose their selections from their own plant lines.

2022 – Hosta SHADOWLAND® ‘Diamond Lake’
2021 – Hosta SHADOWLAND® ‘Wheee!’
2020 – Hosta SHADOWLAND® ‘Coast to Coast’
2019 – Hosta SHADOWLAND® ‘Autumn Frost’

Find pictures and a brief description of the Proven Winners selections HERE.

Well, that’s it for my favorite Hosta varieties. Hopefully, you’ve found some that you want for your garden!

Other Hosta Information You Might Like

Do you have any other favorite Hosta varieties? Tell us about them in the comments section below.


Pin It So You Don't Forget It!

20+ stunning Hostas

This post was originally published on June 8, 2020 but was updated with new content on September 15, 2022.


Sharing is caring!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *