H. ‘Blue Suede Shoes’

Overview

Registered in 2001, *Hosta* 'Blue Suede Shoes' is a large cultivar bred from the pod parent *H.* 'Sea Prize' and pollen parent *H.* 'Maekawa'. It is visually distinctive for its heavily rippled, deeply corrugated, broadly ovate leaves of medium blue-green streaked with yellow, with a glaucous bloom on the undersides.

In the Garden

This fast-growing, upright hosta reaches approximately 29 inches (73.7 cm) in height and 26 inches (66.0 cm) in diameter, making it suitable for mid-border or specimen placement in partial to full shade. Its large, textured foliage pairs well with ferns, heucheras, and other shade perennials that contrast in leaf form or color. The tall scapes, reaching 33 to 36 inches (83.8 to 91.4 cm), bear glaucous green stems with yellow streaks and produce lavender flowers in midsummer.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like most hostas, this cultivar is susceptible to slug and deer damage; regular monitoring and appropriate barriers are recommended in typical hosta-growing zones.