H. ‘Chado’

Overview

Registered in 2004, *Hosta* 'Chado' is a small-sized hybrid derived from *H. 'Iron Gate Supreme'* as the seed parent and *H. pycnophylla* as the pollen parent. Its leaves are green with creamy white margins, but the white variegation is frequently unstable, producing irregular streaks of creamy white across the leaf blade.

In the Garden

This cultivar reaches a mature size typical of small hostas, with leaves approximately 7 inches (17.8 cm) long and 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) wide. It performs best in partial to dappled shade, where the variegation remains most stable; full sun may scorch the white margins and intensify streaking. Suitable companions include small ferns, heucheras, and other miniature hostas in rock gardens or the front of a shaded border. Its compact habit also makes it appropriate for container cultivation.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture during the growing season, and apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new shoots emerge. Slugs and deer may damage foliage, particularly the tender white margins, so monitoring and protective measures are advisable in typical hosta-growing zones.