H. ‘Dancing Stars’

Overview

Registered in 2009 as a sport of *Hosta* 'Dancing in the Rain', 'Dancing Stars' is a small, mound-forming cultivar distinguished by its broad, creamy white leaf margins that contrast sharply with the medium blue-green leaf centers. The leaves exhibit a glaucous bloom on both surfaces and notably heavier substance than typical for its size class.

In the Garden

'Dancing Stars' forms a compact mound 16 inches (40.6 cm) tall and 20 inches (50.8 cm) in diameter, with a moderate growth rate. It performs best in partial to full shade, where the blue-green centers retain their color and the white margins remain crisp. Its small stature makes it suitable for the front of shaded borders, rock gardens, or container plantings, and it pairs well with other small hostas, ferns, or shade-tolerant perennials such as *Heuchera* or *Tiarella*.

Care Notes

Water regularly during dry periods to maintain consistent soil moisture, particularly in containers. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. The thick leaf substance provides moderate resistance to slugs, though monitoring may be needed in damp conditions; deer may browse the foliage in areas where they are present.