H. ‘Coal Miner’

Overview

Registered in 2010, *Hosta* 'Coal Miner' is a giant cultivar notable for its exceptionally dark, black-blue foliage with a heavy glaucous bloom on both leaf surfaces. Its upright, fast-growing habit and deeply veined, wavy-margined leaves produce a distinctive architectural presence in the garden.

In the Garden

'Coal Miner' reaches 31 inches (78.7 cm) in height and 46 inches (116.8 cm) in diameter, with upright scapes 32 to 36 inches (81.3 to 91.4 cm) tall. It performs best in partial to full shade, typical for blue-leaved hostas, where its intense glaucous coating is most pronounced. The large, ovate leaves with rounded bases and slightly rippled margins make it suitable as a specimen or focal point in shaded borders, though its fast growth rate and slug resistance allow it to integrate well into mixed woodland plantings.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture during establishment; fertilize in early spring as growth emerges. The heavy glaucous bloom is easily marred by overhead watering or handling, so irrigate at soil level and avoid leaf disturbance.