H. ‘Floradora’

Overview

Registered in 1978 by Charles Tompkins and introduced by Paul Aden, Hosta 'Floradora' is a miniature variegated cultivar derived from H. nakaiana as seed parent and a hybrid of H. longipes as pollen parent. It forms a dense, low mound of small leaves with light green margins and darker centers, reaching only 5 inches (12.7 cm) in height and 16 inches (40.6 cm) in diameter.

In the Garden

'Floradora' is well-suited to shaded or partially shaded positions in typical hosta-growing zones, where its compact habit makes it an effective groundcover or edging plant for the front of borders. At maturity, the plant forms a tidy dome approximately 16 inches across and 5 inches tall, with leaves measuring 2 inches (5.1 cm) long and 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide, each bearing eight pairs of veins. Its miniature stature and restrained spread make it an excellent choice for rock gardens, troughs, or containers, and it pairs naturally with other small woodland perennials such as Heuchera or Tiarella.

Care Notes

Provide consistently moist, well-drained soil and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. As with most hostas, slug and deer damage may occur, though the small leaf size and low habit offer some natural protection.