H. ‘Trail of Tears’

Overview

Registered in 1999 as a sport of *Hosta* 'Regal Splendor', 'Trail of Tears' is a medium-sized cultivar distinguished by its green leaves streaked with yellow and edged with greenish-yellow, slightly rippled margins. The leaf surface is very shiny above and dull beneath, with a rounded base, and the plant forms a slow-growing, mound-like clump.

In the Garden

'Trail of Tears' reaches a mature spread of approximately 32 inches (81.3 cm) and a height of 15 inches (38.1 cm), making it suitable for mid-border positions in partial to full shade. Its compact, slow growth habit and attractive variegated foliage pair well with ferns, heucheras, and other shade-tolerant perennials. The green scapes, rising 28 to 40 inches (71.1 to 101.6 cm) tall, bear lavender flowers in midsummer.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as growth emerges. Like most hostas, this cultivar is susceptible to slug and deer damage; monitor and manage as needed in typical hosta-growing zones.