H. ‘Great Balls of Fire’

Overview

Registered in 2012 as a sport of an unnamed parent, *Hosta* 'Great Balls of Fire' is a large cultivar distinguished by its intensely cupped, heavily corrugated blue-green leaves with irregular green and yellow streaking and gold margins. The leaf blade is nearly round with a cordate base, measures 10 inches (25.4 cm) long by 9.5 inches (24.1 cm) wide, and bears 15 to 17 pairs of veins; both upper and lower surfaces exhibit a glaucous bloom.

In the Garden

This cultivar forms a dense, mound-like clump reaching 36 inches (91.4 cm) in diameter and 16 inches (40.6 cm) in height, with a moderate growth rate. It is best sited in partial to dappled shade, where the intense cupping and corrugation of the foliage are most pronounced. The blue-green scapes, which rise 15 to 27 inches (38.1 to 68.6 cm) tall, bear lavender flowers in midsummer. Companion plants include ferns, heucheras, and other shade-tolerant perennials with contrasting leaf textures.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. As with most hostas, slug and deer damage may occur; monitor regularly and employ control measures if necessary. This cultivar is hardy in typical hosta-growing zones.