H. ‘Kiwi Hippo’

Overview

Registered in 1999, 'Kiwi Hippo' is a large hosta cultivar resulting from a cross between *Hosta hypoleuca* (pod parent) and *Hosta longipes* (pollen parent). It is visually distinctive for its substantial blue-green leaves with slightly rippled margins and a glaucous bloom on the undersides, combined with purplish-blue scapes.

In the Garden

This cultivar forms a mound approximately 31.5 inches (80.0 cm) in diameter and 15.75 inches (40.0 cm) in height, with individual leaves reaching 11.8 inches (30.0 cm) long and 9.45 inches (24.0 cm) wide. It performs best in partial to full shade, as is typical for blue-leaved hostas, where the glaucous bloom on the leaf undersides is most pronounced. Its substantial size makes it suitable as a specimen plant or as part of a mixed shade border, where it pairs well with ferns and other shade-tolerant perennials.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture during the growing season, applying a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. As with most large-leaved hostas, slug and deer damage may occur and should be managed through appropriate control methods.