H. ‘Dark Secret’
Hosta ‘Dark Secret’ is a registered cultivar () .
| Year registered | 2009 |
|---|---|
| Section class | II-2 (Large) |
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.
Size and leaf
| Clump height | 30 in (76.2 cm) |
|---|---|
| Clump width | 40 in (101.6 cm) |
| Leaf length | 8.5 in (21.6 cm) |
| Leaf width | 8.5 in (21.6 cm) |
| Vein pairs | 14 |
| Leaf | medium blue-green slightly rippled margins; dull on top; dull underneath; twisted, corrugated |
| Flower scape height | 28 in (71.1 cm) |
| Seasonal colour change | becomes green |
| Notable characteristics | very corrugated, very heavy substance |
From the American Hosta Society Registry record.
Parentage
- Pod parent: H. 'Mona Lisa' — H. ‘Mona Lisa’
Similar cultivars
Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (II-2, large size):
- H. ‘Blue Ripples’ (2009)
- H. ‘Blue Tips’ (2009)
- H. ‘Neptune’ (2006)
- H. ‘Queen of the Seas’ (2001)
- H. ‘Aksarben’ (1988)
- H. ‘Blue Rock’ (1986)
Related guides
Registration data: AHS Registry #1360