H. ‘Colonel Murphy’

Overview

Registered in 2001 by an unknown hybridizer, *Hosta* 'Colonel Murphy' is a giant blue-green cultivar distinguished by its intensely colored, deeply corrugated leaves and substantial overall dimensions. The broadly ovate foliage, with cordate bases and slightly rippled margins, reaches 15 inches in length and 11 inches in width, displaying 18 vein pairs and a slightly shiny upper surface with a dull underside.

In the Garden

'Colonel Murphy' performs best in partial to full shade, typical for blue-leaved hostas, where its blue-green coloration remains most intense. At maturity, it forms an upright clump 30 inches tall and 60 inches in diameter, making it suitable as a specimen or focal point in large borders and woodland gardens. Its giant size pairs well with ferns, astilbes, and other shade-tolerant perennials that complement its bold texture.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture during the growing season, particularly in warmer climates, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. The thick, corrugated foliage offers moderate resistance to slugs, though monitoring is advisable in damp conditions; deer may browse young shoots in spring.