H. ‘Jolly Green Giant’

Overview

Registered in 1986 by M. Armstrong and the American Hosta Society, 'Jolly Green Giant' is a giant-sized variegated hosta of unknown parentage. Its most distinctive feature is the combination of medium green leaf margins with a lighter center, borne on plants reaching 57 inches (144.8 cm) in diameter and 25 inches (63.5 cm) in height.

In the Garden

This cultivar performs best in partial to full shade, where its substantial leaves develop their characteristic coloration. At nearly five feet across, 'Jolly Green Giant' serves as a bold specimen or background plant in large borders and woodland gardens. Its massive size makes it unsuitable for containers; pair it with ferns, astilbes, or other shade perennials that complement its scale.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like most hostas, 'Jolly Green Giant' is susceptible to slug and deer damage in typical hosta-growing zones; monitor for these pests and apply controls as needed.