H. ‘Lady Michelle’

Overview

Registered in 2003, *Hosta* 'Lady Michelle' is a medium-sized cultivar of unknown pollen parentage, with *H.* 'Doctor Reath' as the pod parent. It is visually distinctive for its green leaves with greenish-yellow flat margins, which undergo a seasonal color change, including the development of reddish coloration on the leaf undersides beginning in July.

In the Garden

'Lady Michelle' reaches a mature diameter of 32 inches (81.3 cm) and a height of 22 inches (55.9 cm), with an upright growth habit and moderate growth rate. It performs best in partial to full shade, typical of hosta-growing zones, and its medium size makes it suitable for mid-border positions or as a specimen in shaded beds. The dull, lightly corrugated leaves provide textural contrast when paired with finer-textured shade perennials such as ferns or *Heuchera*.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Standard slug and deer precautions are advisable, as with most hostas.