H. ‘Guardian Angel’

Overview

A sport of an unidentified parent, registered in 1995, *Hosta* 'Guardian Angel' is a giant cultivar distinguished by its large, blue-green leaves with a broad, intensely blue-green margin and a lighter green center. The leaf blades reach 16 inches (40.6 cm) in length and 10 inches (25.4 cm) in width, with 12 pairs of veins, a cordate base, and a dull upper surface with a glaucous bloom beneath.

In the Garden

'Guardian Angel' forms a substantial mound 36 inches (91.4 cm) in diameter and 24 inches (61.0 cm) tall, with a moderate growth rate. It performs best in partial to full shade, typical of hosta-growing zones, and its large size makes it suitable as a specimen or in the middle to back of a shaded border. Companion plants include ferns, astilbes, and other shade-tolerant perennials that contrast with its blue-green foliage.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. The thick leaves offer moderate resistance to slugs, but standard slug control measures may still be necessary in damp conditions; deer will browse the foliage.