H. ‘Happily Ever After’

Overview

Registered in 2002 by J. Wilkins, this large hosta is a sport of *Hosta* 'Once Upon a Time'. It is visually distinguished by its broadly ovate, blue-green leaves with narrow (0.5 cm), golden yellow, heavily rippled margins, a glaucous bloom on the undersides, and a moderately twisted, lightly corrugated surface.

In the Garden

'Happily Ever After' forms a dense, mound-like clump reaching 28 inches (71.1 cm) in diameter and 14 inches (35.6 cm) in height, with a moderate growth rate. It performs best in partial to full shade, typical for blue-leaved hostas, where its leaf color holds best. Its substantial leaf substance and rippled edges make it a strong textural presence in shaded borders or woodland gardens; it pairs well with ferns, astilbes, and other shade-tolerant perennials.

Care Notes

Water regularly to establish and during dry periods; apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. The heavy leaf substance provides some resistance to slugs, though standard slug control measures may still be needed in damp conditions. Deer may browse the foliage.