H. ‘Denim Jacket’

Overview

Registered in 2009 by J. Mullins, Hosta 'Denim Jacket' is a small, mound-forming cultivar derived from a cross between Hosta 'Katie Q' (pod parent) and Hosta 'Thumbelina' (pollen parent). It is visually distinctive for its medium blue-green, broadly ovate leaves with cordate bases, flat margins, and a pronounced glaucous bloom on both leaf surfaces, which gives the foliage a muted, denim-like appearance.

In the Garden

'Denim Jacket' forms a compact, slow-growing mound reaching 8 inches (20.3 cm) in height and 19 inches (48.3 cm) in diameter. It is best suited to partial to dappled shade, where its blue-green coloration holds best; excessive sun may diminish the glaucous bloom. Given its small size, it is an excellent choice for rock gardens, troughs, or the front of shaded borders, and pairs well with fine-textured shade perennials such as ferns or Heuchera.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, particularly during dry periods, and apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. As with most hostas, monitor for slug and deer damage, though the thick, glaucous leaves offer moderate resistance.