H. ‘Tristesse’

Overview

Registered in 2010, *Hosta* 'Tristesse' is a large, fast-growing hybrid of *H. caput-avis* and *H. pycnophylla*. The cultivar is visually distinctive for its blue-green, ovate leaves with light green rippled margins, a glaucous bloom on the undersides, and an unusually long, nearly horizontal scape.

In the Garden

'Tristesse' reaches a mature spread of approximately 39 inches (100 cm) and a height of 18 inches (45 cm), with an upright growth habit. It performs best in partial to full shade, as typical for blue-leaved hostas, and is suitable for mid-border positions or as a specimen in woodland gardens. Its large size and fast growth rate make it a strong companion for ferns, astilbes, and other shade-tolerant perennials.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like many hostas, 'Tristesse' is susceptible to slug and deer damage; monitor regularly and employ control measures as needed in typical hosta-growing zones.