H. ‘Dark Star’

Overview

Registered in 1999, 'Dark Star' is a small hosta cultivar notable for its compact mound of blue-green leaves edged with creamy white margins. The foliage exhibits a distinctive glaucous bloom on both surfaces, with leaves measuring 7 inches (17.8 cm) long and 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) wide, bearing 7 to 9 pairs of veins.

In the Garden

'Dark Star' forms a dense, fast-growing mound reaching 12 inches (30.5 cm) in height and 24 inches (61.0 cm) in diameter. It performs best in partial to full shade, typical of most hostas, and is well-suited for small gardens, rockeries, or container cultivation due to its compact size. Companion plants such as ferns, heucheras, or small woodland perennials complement its blue-green and white variegation.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture during dry periods, particularly in the first growing season, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. While 'Dark Star' shows typical hosta resistance to deer, it may be susceptible to slug damage; maintain clean garden debris and consider slug barriers if needed.