H. ‘Irish Moss’

Overview

Registered in 2004 by an unknown hybridizer, *Hosta* 'Irish Moss' is a small, mound-forming cultivar distinguished by its broadly ovate, medium green leaves with slightly rippled margins and a distinctive suede-like texture. The leaves, measuring 5.5 inches (14.0 cm) long and 4.5 inches (11.4 cm) wide, are dull on the upper surface and slightly shiny beneath, with eight pairs of veins and a lightly twisted form.

In the Garden

Reaching 13 inches (33.0 cm) in height and 33 inches (83.8 cm) in diameter, 'Irish Moss' forms a compact, dense mound suitable for the front of borders, rock gardens, or as edging in partial to full shade. Its small stature and textured foliage pair well with fine-leaved plants such as ferns, *Heuchera*, or small sedges, and it is well suited to container cultivation. The green scapes, 20 to 25 inches (50.8 to 63.5 cm) tall, bear typical lavender flowers in midsummer.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, particularly during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like most hostas, it is susceptible to slug and deer damage; monitor regularly and employ barriers or repellents as needed in typical hosta-growing zones.