H. ‘Little Dancer’
Hosta ‘Little Dancer’ is a registered cultivar () .
| Year registered | 2013 |
|---|---|
| Section class | V-1 (Miniature) |
Overview
Registered in 2013, *Hosta* 'Little Dancer' is a miniature cultivar resulting from a cross between *H.* 'Sky Dancer' (pod parent) and *H.* 'Red Tubes' (pollen parent). It is visually distinctive for its compact mound of small, ovate blue-green leaves with medium green, slightly rippled margins, a dull upper surface, and a glaucous bloom on the underside, reaching only 2.5 inches (6.4 cm) in height and 6.875 inches (17.5 cm) in diameter.
In the Garden
This miniature hosta is well-suited to partial to full shade, as typical for the genus, and its small size makes it an excellent candidate for troughs, containers, or the front edge of a shaded border. The mature plant forms a dense, fast-growing mound that pairs effectively with other small shade perennials such as *Heuchera* or *Tiarella*. Its diminutive stature also allows it to fit into rock gardens or crevice plantings where space is limited.
Care Notes
Provide consistent moisture and apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Slugs and deer may damage the foliage, so monitoring and protective measures are advisable in typical hosta-growing zones.
Size and leaf
| Clump height | 2.5 in (6.4 cm) |
|---|---|
| Clump width | 6.875 in (17.5 cm) |
| Leaf length | 1.375 in (3.5 cm) |
| Leaf width | 875 in (2.2 cm) |
| Vein pairs | 5 |
| Leaf | medium green slightly rippled margins; dull on top; glaucous bloom underneath |
| Flower scape height | 3.25–3.875 in (8.3–9.8 cm) |
| Notable characteristics | mini hosta with unique appearance |
From the American Hosta Society Registry record.
Parentage
- Pod parent: H. 'Sky Dancer' — H. ‘Sky Dancer’
- Pollen parent: H. 'Red Tubes'
Similar cultivars
Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (V-1, miniature size):
- H. ‘Gus’ (2008)
- H. ‘First Class’ (2001)
- H. ‘Emerald Elf’ (2013)
- H. ‘Maurice Mason’ (2013)
- H. ‘Mighty Min’ (2013)
- H. ‘Small World’ (2013)
Related guides
Registration data: AHS Registry #3435