H. ‘Heart Throb’

Overview

Registered in 1982 by K. Anderson, 'Heart Throb' is a small blue-green hosta with a cordate leaf base and distinct blue leaf margins. Its compact habit and heart-shaped leaves give the cultivar its name, though its parentage is unknown.

In the Garden

'Heart Throb' reaches a mature height of 15 inches (38.1 cm) and spreads to 24 inches (61.0 cm) in diameter, making it suitable for the front of a border or as an edging plant. It performs best in partial to full shade, where its blue-green foliage holds color well. This small hosta pairs effectively with ferns, heucheras, and other shade-tolerant perennials, and is well-suited to container cultivation.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture during the growing season, particularly in dry spells, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like most hostas, 'Heart Throb' is susceptible to slug and deer damage; monitoring and protective measures may be necessary in areas where these pests are prevalent.