H. ‘Bows and Arrows’
Hosta ‘Bows and Arrows’ is a registered cultivar () .
| Year registered | 2002 |
|---|---|
| Section class | II-7 (Large) |
Overview
Registered in 2002, 'Bows and Arrows' is a large hosta cultivar resulting from a cross between a Hosta 'Dorothy Benedict' seedling and Hosta 'Maekawa'. It is visually distinctive for its medium green, arrowhead-shaped leaves that bear unstable streaks of light green, greenish yellow, yellow, and creamy white along slightly rippled margins, with a glaucous bloom on the undersides.
In the Garden
This cultivar forms an upright, moderate-growing clump reaching approximately 29 inches (73.7 cm) in height and 35 inches (88.9 cm) in diameter. It performs best in partial to full shade, where its blue-green base color and variegated margins remain most stable. Its large, heavily corrugated leaves and prominent veining make it a strong textural contrast alongside finer-leaved perennials such as ferns or Heuchera. It is not well suited to container cultivation due to its mature size.
Care Notes
Water regularly to maintain consistent moisture, particularly during dry periods. Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Slugs and deer may cause damage to foliage; monitor and manage as needed in typical hosta-growing zones.
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 height | 29 in (73.7 cm) |
|---|---|
| Clump width | 35 in (88.9 cm) |
| Leaf length | 11.25 in (28.6 cm) |
| Leaf width | 6.8 in (17.3 cm) |
| Leaf | medium green with unstable streaks of light green, greenish yellow, yellow and creamy white slightly rippled margins; slightly shiny on top; glaucous bloom underneath; lightly cupped, lightly wavy and moderately corrugated |
| Flower scape height | 31–34 in (78.7–86.4 cm) |
| Notable characteristics | medium green arrowhead shaped glaucous leaves streaked with hues of yellow |
From the American Hosta Society Registry record.
Parentage
- Pod parent: F-1 seedling of H. 'Dorothy Benedict' — H. ‘Dorothy Benedict’
- Pollen parent: H. 'Maekawa' — H. ‘Maekawa’
Similar cultivars
Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (II-7, large size):
- H. ‘Justice’ (2003)
- H. ‘Cosmic Sister’ (2006)
- H. ‘Quesadilla’ (2010)
- H. ‘Alice Blue Gown’ (2002)
- H. ‘American Tisch Breeder’ (2002)
- H. ‘Blue Spanish Eyes’ (2002)
Related guides
Registration data: AHS Registry #769. How we check this data.