H. ‘Lakeside Little Tuft’

Overview

Hosta 'Lakeside Little Tuft' is a small-sized hosta cultivar registered in 1997 by the Lakeside hybridizing program. It is a seedling from two unnamed Lakeside seedlings, resulting in a compact, upright plant with distinctive yellow-gold leaves edged in green. The cultivar is notable for its very shiny leaf surfaces on both sides and its modest dimensions, reaching approximately 10 inches (25.4 cm) in diameter and 4.5 inches (11.4 cm) in height.

In the Garden

With its small stature and moderate growth rate, Hosta 'Lakeside Little Tuft' is suited for the front of shaded borders, rock gardens, or container plantings. Its leaves measure 4 inches (10.2 cm) long and 2 inches (5.1 cm) wide, with seven pairs of veins; the leaf blade is yellow-gold with a green margin approximately 0.75 inches (1.9 cm) wide that is slightly rippled. The very shiny upper and lower leaf surfaces, combined with a tapered leaf base, give the foliage a polished appearance that contrasts well with coarser-textured shade plants such as ferns, heucheras, or fine-leaved grasses. The upright growth habit and compact spread make it appropriate for edging pathways or as a specimen in small garden spaces. Flower scapes rise 7 to 9 inches (17.8 to 22.9 cm) above the foliage, bearing lavender flowers in midsummer.

Care Notes

Hosta 'Lakeside Little Tuft' performs best in partial to full shade with consistently moist, well-drained soil. Regular watering during dry periods and a balanced, slow-release fertilizer applied in early spring support healthy growth. Slugs and deer may damage foliage; monitoring and appropriate controls are advised. The cultivar is hardy in temperate climates typical of hosta cultivation.