H. ‘Dark Secret’

Overview

Registered in 2009, *Hosta* 'Dark Secret' is a large, mound-forming cultivar of unknown pollen parentage, with *Hosta* 'Mona Lisa' as its pod parent. It is distinguished by its nearly round, heavily corrugated leaves of medium blue-green, which exhibit slightly rippled margins and a dull surface on both sides.

In the Garden

'Dark Secret' forms a substantial mound 30 inches (76.2 cm) tall and 40 inches (101.6 cm) in diameter, with a moderate growth rate. It is best sited in partial to full shade, typical for blue-green hostas, where its thick, corrugated foliage provides strong textural contrast. The plant's large size and heavy substance make it suitable as a specimen or in mixed shade borders; it pairs well with finer-textured ferns or broad-leaved perennials.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during establishment, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as growth emerges. The thick leaf substance offers some resistance to slugs, though monitoring is still advisable in damp conditions; deer may browse the foliage.