H. ‘King of Spades’

Overview

Registered in 2007, *Hosta* 'King of Spades' is a medium-sized variegated cultivar resulting from a cross between *Hosta* 'Neat Splash' (pod parent) and *Hosta* 'Blue Moon' (pollen parent). Its most distinctive feature is the leaf shape and texture: broadly ovate leaves with flat bases resemble a playing card spade, with deep, concentrated corrugation in the leaf center while the margins remain flat and un-puckered.

In the Garden

This cultivar forms an upright, moderate-growing clump reaching 16 inches (40.6 cm) in height and 30 inches (76.2 cm) in diameter. The dark green leaves with flat margins measure 6 inches (15.2 cm) long by 5 inches (12.7 cm) wide, bearing 9 to 10 vein pairs. Green scapes rise 20 to 22 inches (50.8 to 55.9 cm) above the foliage. It performs best in partial to full shade, typical of most hostas, and pairs well with ferns, heucheras, and other shade-tolerant perennials. Its medium size makes it suitable for border fronts or shaded beds.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture during the growing season, applying a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new shoots emerge. As with most hostas, monitor for slug damage, particularly on the deeply corrugated leaf centers where pests may shelter.