H. ‘Ki Nakafu Otome’

Overview

Registered in 2003, this small Japanese cultivar of unknown parentage produces a low, dense mound of ovate leaves with greenish-yellow centers and medium green margins. The leaf blades are dull above with a slight sheen beneath, measuring 3 inches long by 2 inches wide, with 3 to 5 vein pairs and lightly wavy edges.

In the Garden

Reaching 5 inches in height and spreading to 20 inches in diameter, 'Ki Nakafu Otome' forms a compact mound suitable for the front of shaded borders or rock gardens. Its moderate growth rate and small stature make it an appropriate choice for container cultivation, where the contrasting leaf centers and margins remain visible at close range. Pair with fine-textured woodland perennials such as ferns or small sedges.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture during the growing season, applying a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like most hostas, this cultivar is susceptible to slug and deer damage in typical hosta-growing zones.