H. ‘Buffalo Black Soup’

Overview

Registered in 2016 as a sport of *Hosta* 'Lakeside Little Tuft', 'Buffalo Black Soup' is a small-sized cultivar distinguished by its very shiny, dark green leaves marked with irregular creamy yellow streaks that fade to white as the season advances. The lance-shaped leaves, each with seven vein pairs and flat, lightly wavy margins, emerge from short petioles to form an upright mound.

In the Garden

With a mature diameter of 10 inches (25 cm) and height of 6 inches (15 cm), 'Buffalo Black Soup' is suited to the front of borders, rock gardens, or container culture. It performs best in partial to full shade, where the contrast between the dark green leaf surface and the light streaks is most pronounced. Companion plants that share similar moisture and light requirements include ferns, heucheras, and small woodland perennials such as *Tiarella*.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, particularly during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. As with many hostas, slug and deer damage may occur; monitoring and protective measures are advisable in susceptible gardens.