H. ‘Academy Shiny Vase’

Overview

Registered in 2001, Hosta 'Academy Shiny Vase' is a large, variegated cultivar of unknown parentage distinguished by its upright, vase-shaped growth habit and exceptionally glossy foliage. The leaves are medium green with slightly rippled margins, ovate with cordate bases, and exhibit a very shiny surface on both the upper and lower sides.

In the Garden

This cultivar forms a substantial, upright clump reaching 36 inches (91.4 cm) in height and 50 inches (127.0 cm) in diameter, making it well-suited as a specimen or focal point in partial to full shade. Its large, glossy leaves provide strong textural contrast when paired with fine-textured ferns, Heuchera, or shade-tolerant grasses. The upright habit allows it to be placed among lower-growing groundcovers without being overwhelmed.

Care Notes

Plant in moist, well-drained soil and water regularly during dry periods, particularly in the first growing season. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like most hostas, this cultivar is susceptible to slug and deer damage, though its thick, glossy leaves may offer slight resistance to minor pest pressure.