H. ‘Crinkled Leather’

Overview

Registered in 2014, *Hosta* 'Crinkled Leather' is a medium-sized cultivar derived from a complex cross involving *H.* 'Liberty Bell', *H.* 'Urajiro Amagi Iwa', *H. pycnophylla*, and *H.* 'Ebony Spires' as pod parent, with *H.* 'Silver Frost' as pollen parent. The cultivar is visually distinctive for its intensely corrugated, broadly ovate leaves with heavy rippled margins and a blue-green color that carries a glaucous bloom on both surfaces.

In the Garden

At maturity, 'Crinkled Leather' forms an upright clump approximately 22 inches (55.9 cm) tall and 34 inches (86.4 cm) in diameter, with leaf blades reaching 9.5 inches (24.1 cm) long and 6.25 inches (15.9 cm) wide. The scapes rise 24 to 27 inches (61.0 to 68.6 cm) above the foliage, matching the leaf color. This cultivar performs best in partial to full shade, typical for blue-leaved hostas, and pairs well with ferns, heucheras, and other shade-tolerant perennials. Its moderate growth rate and medium size make it suitable for border middles or as a specimen in shaded beds.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like many hostas, 'Crinkled Leather' is susceptible to slug and deer damage; monitor regularly and apply controls as needed.