H. ‘Henry Payne’

Overview

Registered in 1996 from unknown parentage, *Hosta* 'Henry Payne' is a medium-sized cultivar distinguished by its blue-green leaves with a very shiny upper surface and a glaucous bloom beneath. The cordate-based foliage, measuring 8.5 inches (21.6 cm) long and 6 inches (15.2 cm) wide with 10 vein pairs, displays medium to dark green margins that contrast subtly with the blue-green interior.

In the Garden

'Helen Payne' forms a dense, mound-like clump reaching 32 inches (81.3 cm) in diameter and 12 inches (30.5 cm) in height, making it suitable for mid-border positions in partial to full shade. Its compact habit and glossy foliage pair well with ferns, astilbes, and other shade-tolerant perennials. The plant's moderate size also allows for container cultivation in shaded patio settings.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture during the growing season, applying a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new shoots emerge. Standard precautions against slugs and deer are advisable, as both pests may damage the foliage in typical hosta-growing zones.