H. ‘Little Dipper’
Hosta ‘Little Dipper’ is a registered cultivar () .
| Year registered | 2005 |
|---|---|
| Section class | IV-2 (Small) |
Overview
Registered in 2005 from unknown parentage, 'Little Dipper' is a small, fast-growing hosta distinguished by its cupped, broadly ovate leaves of medium blue-green with slightly rippled margins. The foliage is dull on both surfaces, and the plant forms a dense, mound-like clump reaching 14 inches (35.6 cm) in height and 30 inches (76.2 cm) in diameter.
In the Garden
This compact cultivar performs best in partial to full shade, where its blue-green leaves hold color well. Mature plants spread to about 2.5 feet across, making them suitable for the front of borders, rock gardens, or as edging along shaded pathways. The small size and rapid growth rate also suit container culture. Companion plants include ferns, heucheras, and other small hostas with contrasting leaf shapes or colors.
Care Notes
Provide consistent moisture, especially during establishment, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. The thick, cupped leaves offer moderate resistance to slugs, though deer may browse the foliage in typical hosta-growing zones.
Size and leaf
| Clump height | 14 in (35.6 cm) |
|---|---|
| Clump width | 30 in (76.2 cm) |
| Leaf length | 5 in (12.7 cm) |
| Leaf width | 4 in (10.2 cm) |
| Vein pairs | 11 |
| Leaf | medium blue-green slightly rippled margins; dull on top; dull underneath; cupped |
| Flower scape height | 15–17 in (38.1–43.2 cm) |
| Seasonal colour change | medium blue-green becomes green later, |
| Notable characteristics | cupped, rapid growth |
From the American Hosta Society Registry record.
Similar cultivars
Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (IV-2, small size):
- H. ‘Mr Blue’ (2005)
- H. ‘Miss Linda Smith’ (2006)
- H. ‘Venetian Blue’ (2003)
- H. ‘Pacific Blue Edger’ (2009)
- H. ‘Blue Hearts’ (2010)
- H. ‘Faerie Cups’ (2010)
Related guides
Registration data: AHS Registry #3438