H. ‘Curly Locks’

Overview

Registered in 1989 by W. & E. Lachman, this small hosta cultivar is a hybrid distinguished by its narrow, lanceolate leaves with heavily undulating margins. The foliage is medium green with a 0.25-inch (0.6 cm) wide margin that emerges chartreuse and matures to creamy white, and the leaf blade typically displays three to four vein pairs.

In the Garden

Mature plants reach approximately 5 inches (12.7 cm) in height and spread to 14 inches (35.6 cm) in diameter, making this a suitable choice for the front of a border, rock gardens, or container culture. It performs best in partial to full shade, as is typical for most hostas, and pairs well with small ferns, heucheras, or other shade-tolerant perennials of similar scale. The compact habit and distinctive leaf texture also suit trough gardens or woodland-edge plantings.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. As with many hostas, this cultivar may be susceptible to slug and deer damage, so appropriate deterrents should be considered in areas where these pests are prevalent.