At first glance many hostas look similar, with cool-colored leaves and mounded growing habits. Yet this group of plants is incredibly diverse, with some varieties distinguishing themselves as standouts. The following hostas are a few of my favorites.

Name: ‘First Frost’ 

H. ‘First Frost’

Size: 16 inches tall and 3 feet wide 

‘First Frost’ is a chameleon of a plant. In spring, leaves emerge with beautiful blue centers and complementary margins of yellow, but as the season progresses, the margins become pure white. At the same time, the blue part of the foliage shifts from teal to gray-blue. This plant looks good against a backdrop of solid-colored evergreens or ferns, where its hue shift can be appreciated.

Name: ‘Nancy’ 

H. ‘Nancy’

Size: 10 inches tall and 1½ to 2 feet wide

Hosta yellows are soft and have no harsh orange tones. Those welcoming golden hues can bring attention to the plants around them and draw visitors to points of interest. ‘Nancy’ has shiny, bright yellow leaves that soften to a golden glow as summer goes on. In my garden, it sits happily in a hanging basket at the top of an entrance to the back garden and serves as a lantern illuminating the way.

Name: ‘Great Expectations’ 

H. ‘Great Expectations’ 

Size: 2½ feet tall and 4 feet wide

This cultivar has leaves with soft blue margins and buttery yellow centers. The veining in the foliage helps to carry the color through the leaf, and the overlapping of the leaves creates a dense habit. The overall effect of ‘Great Expectations’ is soothing and calming; it works well next to louder plants.

Name: ‘Spritzer’ 

H. ‘Spritzer’

Size: 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide

Often a hosta’s leaf shape or growth habit is its most intriguing characteristic, and a solid green coloration can act as a foil for other variegated hostas to play off of. What better spot for a hosta called ‘Spritzer’ to live up to its name than in an elevated pot that allows its elongated spray of foliage to push up and cascade out like water from a fountain? 

Name: ‘Joseph’

H. ‘Joseph’

Size: 20 inches tall and 3 feet wide 

The foliage of many hostas has a matte finish, but the foliage of ‘Joseph’ is bright and shiny with sturdy veining along the leaves. This plant has been a quiet anchor in my garden for decades and even withstands afternoon sun. Its sturdy, thick foliage shades other, smaller treasures, which nestle in pots behind it.

Name: ‘Dancing Queen’ 

H. ‘Dancing Queen’

Size: 1½ feet tall and 2½ to 3 feet wide 

Many yellow-hued hostas become more chartreuse as the season progresses, but ‘Dancing Queen’ keeps its bright yellow coloring all summer long, with just a hint of softening as fall ­arrives. I placed it in a very shady spot that receives only a touch of morning sun. Despite this, it glows regally and brings welcome warmth to an otherwise dark area.

Name: ‘Night Before Christmas’ 

H. ‘Night Before Christmas’

Size: 1½ feet tall and 3 feet wide 

There is an area in my garden where color is not allowed—only greens and pure whites. It’s a secluded spot for quiet repose, accessible only from one entry point, and is filled with hostas and ferns. In the busyness of the day, it’s the perfect place to slip away to for a few moments of relaxation. The bright white in the variegation of ‘Night Before Christmas’ pops in a sea of green, making this hosta a perfect focal point in that part of the garden. 

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

Plant Covers Freeze Protection 10 ft x 30 ft Floating Row Cover 0.9oz/yd²

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Lightweight and Breathable MATERIAL Good for protecting Plant: the plant frost cover material is 0.74 oz/sq non-woven polypropylene fabric, which is lightweight, breathable, and durable. The plant blanket frost protection allows sunlight reach the plants, perfect for protecting plants from the damage of freeze or frost. Wide Application In your Garden Work. The plant row cover not only can work as a barrier against frost, but also can be a great tool for germination and good for rapid seedling growth. By using the fabric plant covers over your plant, you can start the plant earlier in the spring and extending the growing season of your plants. How to Use the Plant Covers: you can cover the plant covers for freeze over your the plants loosely directly and then secure the plant frost blanket with soil, stones or staples. You can also support the floating row covers with a hoop, make enough room for plants to breath and grow. You could also cut the plant covers into different sizes for different purposes.

Buy at Amazon

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

MULTITASKING DUAL EDGES: a deep serrated edge and a tapered slicing edge ideal for tough or delicate cuts. DURABLE 6-inch stainless steel blade withstands 300 lbs of pressure. TWINE CUTTING NOTCH, DEPTH GAUGE MARKINGS & spear point - no need to switch tools when using this garden knife. LEATHER SHEATH: heavy duty, protective, clip on sheath to keep your knife convenient and secure. LIFETIME WARRANTY.

Buy at Amazon

Organo Republic 16 Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix for Indoor & Outdoors

Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.

Premium 16 Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix - Special Garden Flower Seeds Blend designed for planting indoor & outdoors across North America. With over 16 varieties and 100,000 wildflower seeds, this mix is the best solution to attract pollinators - bees, butterflies & birds are essential for garden plants health. Our Special Perennial Wildflower Seeds Mix Includes White Yarrow, Columbine, New England Aster, Siberian Wallflower, Shasta Daisy, Lance-Leaf Coreopsis, Sweet William, Purple Coneflower, Blanketflower, Gayfeather, Blue Flax, Lupine, Dwarf Evening, Primrose, Mexican Hat, Prairie Coneflower, Black Eyed Susan. Easy & Fun Growing Experience with our online guides - Don’t plant disappointment - Add more colors to your wildflower garden! We send only super hearty heirloom flower seeds with the highest germination rate and fast sprout. Our detailed growing guide helps you grow seeds the garden of your dream like a PRO. Colorful Wildflower Garden from Seeds - Grow wildflowers everywhere - Indoor in window garden or Outdoors Flower garden Garden make a beautiful design for your garden borders, pathways, field or meadow and attract pollinators. Made in the USA by Small Family-Owned Business - Quality You Can Trust - Our wildflower bulk seeds variety pack are tested at the highest germination rates before being sealed to last for up to 3 years before you need to plant. Each packet of our flower seeds variety pack is resealable to make it easy to store and has its own label with a QR code for the growing instructions.

Buy at Amazon