H. ‘American Hero’

AI-generated watercolor illustration of Hosta 'American Hero' (not a photograph)
AI-generated watercolor illustration by The Hosta Farm — not a photograph of this cultivar. How we use images

Hosta ‘American Hero’ is a registered cultivar () .

Year registered2009
Section classIV-6a (Small)

Overview

Registered in 2009 as a sport of an unnamed parent, Hosta 'American Hero' is a small, mound-forming cultivar distinguished by its creamy white leaf centers with irregular green flecking, set against wide, dark green, flat margins. The ovate leaves, measuring 6 inches long and 3.5 inches wide, exhibit moderate twisting and light folding, with a dull upper surface and slightly shiny underside.

In the Garden

'American Hero' reaches a mature spread of 25 inches (63.5 cm) and a height of 14 inches (35.6 cm), forming a compact, moderate-growing mound suited to partial to full shade in typical hosta-growing zones. Its small size and heavy leaf substance make it appropriate for rock gardens, container plantings, or the front of shaded borders, where it pairs well with ferns, heucheras, or small woodland perennials. The creamy scapes, rising 12 to 20 inches (30.5 to 50.8 cm), support pale flowers that complement the foliage.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture during the growing season, applying a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new shoots emerge. The heavy substance offers some resistance to slugs, though standard slug control measures are advisable in damp conditions; deer may browse the foliage.

This summary was generated with AI from the registry record and has not been reviewed yet; the registry data on this page is the reference. How we use AI.

Size and leaf

Clump height14 in (35.6 cm)
Clump width25 in (63.5 cm)
Leaf length6 in (15.2 cm)
Leaf width3.5 in (8.9 cm)
Vein pairs7
Leafcreamy white with green flecking with .75 to 1.25in (1.9 to 3.2cm) wide, dark green, flat margins; dull on top; slightly shiny underneath; moderately twisted, lightly folded
Flower scape height12–20 in (30.5–50.8 cm)
Notable characteristicsheavy substance, wide deep green margin with non-melting white center with some green flecking; leaves show some twisting
Plant patentPP23,587

From the American Hosta Society Registry record.

Similar cultivars

Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (IV-6a, small size):

Related guides

Registration data: AHS Registry #235. How we check this data.