H. ‘Cosmic Rainbow’

Overview

Registered in 2008, *Hosta* 'Cosmic Rainbow' is a large cultivar resulting from a cross between *H. 'Cosmic Hippie'* (pod parent) and *H. 'Dorothy Benedict'* (pollen parent). Its visual distinction lies in dark green leaves heavily streaked with yellow, framed by gold margins, with lightly rippled edges and a slightly shiny upper surface.

In the Garden

'Cosmic Rainbow' performs best in partial to full shade, reaching a mature spread of 38 inches (96.5 cm) and a height of 18 inches (45.7 cm). Its substantial leaf size—10 inches (25.4 cm) long by 8 inches (20.3 cm) wide—makes it a strong specimen or border plant, pairing well with ferns, astilbes, or other shade-tolerant perennials. The green-streaked scapes, 28 to 36 inches (71.1 to 91.4 cm) tall, bear lavender flowers in midsummer.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like most hostas, it is susceptible to slug and deer damage; monitor and manage accordingly in typical hosta-growing zones.