Top 12 Tiny Hostas

What they lack in size, they make up for in charm

Hostas(Hostaspp . and cvs . , USDA Hardiness Zones 3–9 ) are a staple in almost everyperennial gardenthat delight open shade ; fertile , well - drained soil ; and extended cold-blooded weather . They have been one of America ’s most democratic perennials for years . Many gardeners think of Hosta as large specimen or anchor plants , but there is another man of genus Hosta that has quietly been build impulse : a universe where colour , shape , inflammation , and versatility are in toy . I am talking , of course , about little hostas . Although there have always been smallhostas , they have had a reputation for being unmanageable to find and farm . Public perceptions , fortuitously , have changed , and a wide variety of easy - to - develop cultivars are now available . These small Hosta are assort into three categories : small , very small , and miniskirt . The size are descriptive , but they also avail determine placement and cultural needs . Go ahead — happen a little Funka to indulge your whimsical side . Here are a few of my ducky .

Small hostas are well suited for garden beds

pocket-size hostas originate between 9 and 12 in tall and have leaves about the size of a murphy chip . These hostas are suited for traditional garden beds because their strong root system can stand most garden soils and the plants are prominent enough to be relish without having to get down on your knees to see them .

‘ Baby Bunting’is a dependable clumper with eye - form blueish leaf . It will quickly organize a polite hammock in a woodland garden or in any other property that does n’t incur direct sun . It has bright imperial flower in summertime and makes a good edging plant .

‘ Silver Threads and Golden Needles’has heart - shaped leaves with a leaden yellow border and a center that is primarily green but lightly brush with whitened and chartreuse . These colors variegate depending on light condition , but find it right is worth a niggling tweaking . Four to five minute of dayspring light is perfect . Because of its need to get the proper amount of light , this little hosta also do well in an easily prompt , well - drained container .

‘ Marrakech’is as exotic as its name propose , with rippled , lance - influence , faint yellow - green leaf . The underside of the leaves is white , which tot to the industrial plant ’s otherworldly appearing . ‘ Marrakech ’ is an excellent blooper , evince off pink bloom stalks and buds that open up into lavender heyday . ‘ Marrakech ’ , like many yellow hostas , tolerates more sun than other hostas , so plant it where it will receive four to five hour of morning time light .

Very small hostas perform best in raised beds and containers

Very small hostas grow about 5 to 9 in magniloquent with parting slightly larger than a distinctive soupspoon . Very small hostas are not unremarkably happy in crowded beds unless the bed is give to footling hostas . They have smaller roots than those of big plants and are , thus , less able to compete with them . Very small genus Hosta fare well in raised beds and containers .

Lance - shape greenish leaves with a narrow white edge and a marked ripple core are what make‘Stiletto’special . Even one of these industrial plant adds movement and elegance to a box of a garden . ‘ Stiletto ’ is also a good genus Hosta for lining a route as it will quickly clump and is able to be divide for further planting .

There is credibly no little hosta more famous than‘Blue Mouse Ears’ . It is a safe mixture with distinctive round blue leaves . ‘ Blue Mouse Ears ’ entrance people ’s imagination because it not only is adorable and grows effortlessly but also has give emanation to a line of “ sportswoman ” ( Hosta that have evolve from an original plant into many variant ) that are highly sought after .

A pale yellow genus Hosta with rippled leaves and royal petioles ( or leaf stems),‘Coconut Custard’grows in full sun in Zone 6 . But in sphere far in the south , it should be sited in a burnished — but not overly sunny — part of the garden . ‘ Coconut Custard ’ and other white-livered Hosta look awesome in atomic number 27 grim batch . You will require to place this plant up on something where you may see under the leaves to appreciate those purple petiole .

‘ Blueberry Tart’produces arrowhead - shaped , somewhat shut down , bluish green leaves . If planted in mottled shade , the blue air will keep back through the time of year ; with more sun , it will run toward reliable special K . The leaves are substantial and will repel all but the most determined slug .

‘ footling Caesar’is a charismatic hosta with lance - shape leaves and a snowy center with a wide green bound . The leaves sophisticate out from the basis of the plant in a tight and just aspect . To hold its diversification , it needs a trivial more light than green or blue Hosta do .

‘ Little Treasure’is one of the unspoilt hostas for tucking between rocks , in the knothole of a tree , or between exposed roots in a woodland garden . The more or less twisted leaves look almost tropic , more like a bromeliad than a hosta . I first saw it planted in a carapace — an effective use for this endearing little plant .

Mini hostas are good for containers and crevices

Mini genus Hosta grow less than 5 inches tall and have leaves about the sizing of a pinky fingernail . These hostas are not near candidates for beds or borders as they are too small to be appreciated there and would be submerge by other plants . They do best in containers and crevices . Mini genus Funka , especially those with a heavy field of blank on their leafage , can be a little tricky to grow and postulate the right soil and mulch .

‘ midget Tears’has been around for a long time but was recently rediscovered by the fay - garden folks — and for good reason : It is merely the best hosta for a poove garden . Tiny tear unripened leaves form a dense mat over clip . ‘ Tiny Tears ’ is also democratic because it is reliable and easy to acquire . Its lavender flowers append a nice touch .

Very minute , rippled leaves are feature you find on little varieties only;‘Dragon Tails’is a prize example . The overall appearance of a thumping of bubble leaves is electrifying , so I urge planting this hosta in a agency that showcases its structure . ‘ Dragon Tails ’ looks stunning against black gravel ( or , if you prefer , black mulch ) , where it can really show off its coloring and foliage habit .

Fast - growing‘Lakeside Down Sized ’ has narrow yellowed - gullible leaves that are slimly rippled and edged with bloodless . It is a good hosta for edging a path as it grow quickly into a dense hill that can be divided and spaced .

Soil and mulch are the keys to success

genus Hosta are care - liberal works . When ask how to grow them , I tell people , “ Dig a cakehole , drop in the genus Funka , and get out of the elbow room . ” This is largely true for the little guys , as well ; however , minor Hosta have somewhat greater needs that can be come across with the right soil and mulch .

The right soil makes the difference

Little genus Hosta favour moist , somewhat acidic , well - enfeeble soil . For container or raised bed , I recommend mixing your own by combining 50 percent skilful garden soil , 25 percentage constituent matter , and 25 percentage particulate matter ( e.g. , builder ’s sand or turkey grit ) . The resulting mixture will hold up water but drain well and earmark delicate roots to stretch and breathe . If you get challenging and decide to establish a hosta rock garden , increase the particulate matter for better drainage .

Mulch protects shallow roots

Because the roots of little genus Funka grow near the soil surface , they need to be protected from drying . Splashback — a situation that takes place when water splash land onto diminutive leaves — not only look unsightly but also reduce the plant ’s ability to photosynthesize . Mulch helps the rootage stay dampish and reduces splashback . Mulch can also keep slug and snails at bay . believe using populate mulch , such as moss or thyme , which also look attractive .

Kathy Guest Shadrack is a coauthor , with her husband , Michael Shadrack , ofThe Book of Little Hostas . They own Smug Creek Gardens in Hamburg , New York , where they grow hundreds of genus Hosta of all sizes .

photograph : millettephotomedia.com ; Mike Shadrack ; and Lynn Felici - Gallant .

The undermentioned mail - order industrial plant sellers put up the widest selection of the little hostas featured :

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tiny hostas

Forms a nice tidy mound.Name:‘Baby Bunting’ hosta (Hosta‘Baby Bunting’).Size:10 inches tall and 15 inches wide

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‘Baby Bunting’ hosta

Forms a nice tidy mound.Name:‘Baby Bunting’ hosta (Hosta‘Baby Bunting’).Size:10 inches tall and 15 inches wide

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