H. ‘Lime Zest’

Overview

Registered in 2009, Hosta 'Lime Zest' is a small-sized variegated cultivar derived from Hosta 'Shining Tot' (pod parent) with an unknown pollen parent. The plant forms a dense, fast-growing mound of bright green foliage, with dark green flat margins, ovate leaves with rounded bases and lightly wavy edges, each leaf measuring 3.75 inches (9.5 cm) long and 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) wide, bearing seven vein pairs and a slightly shiny surface both above and below.

In the Garden

Reaching a mature diameter of 14 inches (35.6 cm) and a height of 5.5 inches (14.0 cm), 'Lime Zest' forms a compact, mound-like clump suited to the front of shaded borders, rock gardens, or woodland edges. Its small stature and bright foliage make it an effective groundcover beneath deciduous trees or alongside other miniature hostas, ferns, and shade-tolerant perennials such as Heuchera or Tiarella. The plant performs well in containers, where its restrained size and rapid growth rate can be easily managed.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture and apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like most hostas, 'Lime Zest' is susceptible to slug and deer damage in typical hosta-growing zones, though its small, compact habit may reduce exposure to larger herbivores.