H. ‘Mama Bear’

Overview

Registered in 2009, *Hosta* 'Mama Bear' is a giant cultivar of unknown pollen parentage, with *H.* 'Choko Nishiki' as the pod parent. Its most distinctive feature is the combination of blue-green leaf centers with gold margins, the latter described as soft, smooth, and puckery, giving the foliage a luminous quality in the garden.

In the Garden

With a mature spread of 48 inches (121.9 cm) and height of 22 inches (55.9 cm), 'Mama Bear' commands substantial space and is best suited as a specimen or backdrop plant in partial to full shade. Its upright, moderate growth rate and large, broadly ovate leaves with cordate bases make it effective when paired with finer-textured perennials such as ferns or Japanese forest grass. The 32- to 34-inch (81.3–86.4 cm) scapes bear flowers typical of the genus.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during establishment, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like most large-leaved hostas, 'Mama Bear' is susceptible to slug and deer damage; protective measures may be necessary in areas where these pests are prevalent. It is hardy in typical hosta-growing zones.