H. ‘Honey Bear’

Hosta 'Honey Bear'
Illustration: The Hosta Farm Editorial Team.

Hosta ‘Honey Bear’ is a registered cultivar () .

Year registered2016
Section classII-5b (Large)

Overview

Registered in 2016 as a sport of *Hosta* 'Honey Pie', 'Honey Bear' is a large, mound-forming cultivar distinguished by its blue-green leaves with wide, golden yellow margins. The foliage is broadly ovate with cordate bases, lightly wavy margins, and moderate corrugation, while the leaf undersides carry a glaucous bloom.

In the Garden

'Honey Bear' reaches approximately 18 inches (45.7 cm) in height and spreads to 40 inches (101.6 cm) in diameter, forming a dense, fast-growing clump. It performs best in partial to dappled shade, where the gold margins hold their color without scorching, and is suitable for typical hosta-growing zones. Its substantial size and rapid growth rate make it effective as a groundcover or specimen in woodland borders, where it pairs well with ferns and shade-tolerant perennials.

Care Notes

Water regularly during dry periods, particularly in the first growing season, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. The thick, puckered leaves offer moderate slug resistance, though standard slug control measures may be necessary in persistently damp conditions.

Size and leaf

Clump height18 in (45.7 cm)
Clump width40 in (101.6 cm)
Leaf length10 in (25.4 cm)
Leaf width7.5 in (19.1 cm)
Vein pairs11
Leafdark green with .75 to 1in (1.9 to 2.5cm) wide, golden yellow, slightly rippled margins; slightly shiny on top; glaucous bloom underneath; lightly wavy and moderately corrugated overall.
Notable characteristicsDark green centered, yellow margined large hosta with fragrant flowers, puckered leaves and rapid growth rate.

From the American Hosta Society Registry record.

Parentage

Similar cultivars

Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (II-5b, large size):

Related guides

Registration data: AHS Registry #2603