H. ‘Banana Boat’

Overview

Registered in 1991 by W. & E. Lachman, this small-sized cultivar resulted from a cross between *Hosta* '81-9' and *Hosta* 'Reversed'. 'Banana Boat' is visually distinctive for its blue-green leaf centers bordered by white margins, a color pattern that reverses the typical variegation of its pollen parent.

In the Garden

'Banana Boat' reaches a mature spread of approximately 17 inches (43.2 cm) and a height of 13.5 inches (34.3 cm), making it suitable for the front of borders, rock gardens, or container cultivation. It performs best in partial to full shade, typical for blue-green hostas, and pairs well with ferns, heucheras, and other small woodland perennials. Its compact habit also suits trough gardens or small shaded patios.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. As with most hostas, monitor for slug and deer damage; the white margins may show damage more readily than solid green cultivars.