H. ‘Little Red Joy’
Hosta ‘Little Red Joy’ is a registered cultivar () .
| Year registered | 2004 |
|---|---|
| Section class | V-1 (Miniature) |
Overview
Registered in 2004, this miniature hosta is a hybrid of *H.* 'Red Sox' and *H.* 'Wiggle Worms'. It is visually distinctive for its small, lance-shaped leaves with green, slightly rippled margins and a red scape; the red coloration extends into the petioles and leaf bases, a trait inherited from its pod parent.
In the Garden
'Hosta 'Little Red Joy'' forms a low mound reaching approximately 2 inches (5.1 cm) in height and 8.6 inches (21.8 cm) in diameter, with a moderate growth rate. It is best suited to partial to full shade, as is typical for hostas, and performs well in rock gardens, troughs, or as a front-of-border accent. Its miniature size makes it an excellent candidate for container cultivation.
Care Notes
Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like many small-leaved hostas, it may be susceptible to slug damage; monitor and manage as needed. It is hardy in typical hosta-growing zones.
Size and leaf
| Clump height | 2 in (5.1 cm) |
|---|---|
| Clump width | 8.6 in (21.8 cm) |
| Leaf length | 3 in (7.6 cm) |
| Leaf width | 1.2 in (3 cm) |
| Vein pairs | 3 |
| Leaf | green slightly rippled margins; slightly shiny on top; slightly shiny underneath |
| Flower scape height | 5.5–7 in (14.0–17.8 cm) |
| Notable characteristics | good substance small hosta with red spotted petioles into the leaf |
From the American Hosta Society Registry record.
Parentage
- Pod parent: H. 'Red Sox' — H. ‘Red Sox’
- Pollen parent: H. 'Wiggle Worms' — H. ‘Wiggle Worms’
Similar cultivars
Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (V-1, miniature size):
- H. ‘First Class’ (2001)
- H. ‘Gus’ (2008)
- H. ‘Green Mouse Ears’ (2004)
- H. ‘Littlechap’ (2004)
- H. ‘Devon Mist’ (2005)
- H. ‘Gorgon’ (2003)
Related guides
Registration data: AHS Registry #3461