H. ‘Dark Victory’

Overview

Registered in 1977 by R. Savory, this small variegated hosta originated as a hybrid of *Hosta* 'Lancifolia Minor'. The cultivar is visually distinctive for its medium dark green leaf margins contrasting with lighter centers, forming a compact mound 16 inches (40.6 cm) tall and 27 inches (68.6 cm) in diameter.

In the Garden

'Dark Victory' performs best in partial to full shade, where its variegated foliage remains most stable. At maturity, the plant forms a dense clump with leaves measuring 6 inches (15.2 cm) long and 4 inches (10.2 cm) wide, and produces scapes reaching 29 inches (73.7 cm) in height. Its small size makes it suitable for rock gardens, woodland edges, or front-of-border placement, and it pairs well with ferns, heucheras, and other shade-tolerant perennials.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Slugs and deer may damage foliage; monitor regularly and use barriers or repellents as needed in typical hosta-growing zones.