H. ‘Coal Miner’

AI-generated watercolor illustration of Hosta 'Coal Miner' (not a photograph)
AI-generated watercolor illustration by The Hosta Farm — not a photograph of this cultivar. How we use images

Hosta ‘Coal Miner’ is a registered cultivar () .

Year registered2010
Section classI-2 (Giant)

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.

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 height31 in (78.7 cm)
Clump width46 in (116.8 cm)
Leaf length15 in (38.1 cm)
Leaf width9 in (22.9 cm)
Vein pairs14
Leafblack-blue slightly rippled margins; glaucous bloom on top; glaucous bloom underneath; wavy
Flower scape height32–36 in (81.3–91.4 cm)
Seasonal colour changeblue earlier turning darker later
Notable characteristicsblackish blue color, tall, long upright growth, intensely glaucous top and bottom, deep veining, blossoms that practically glow. Fast growing and slug resistant.

From the American Hosta Society Registry record.

Parentage

Similar cultivars

Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (I-2, giant size):

Related guides

Registration data: AHS Registry #1104. How we check this data.