H. ‘Mastodon’

Overview

Registered in 2009 by K. Walek of the American Hosta Society, 'Mastodon' is a giant blue-green hosta resulting from a cross between *H.* 'Polly Bishop' and *H.* 'Blue Lace'. Its most distinctive features are the exceptionally large, broadly ovate leaves with cordate bases, medium blue-green coloration, pronounced corrugation, and a glaucous bloom on both leaf surfaces.

In the Garden

'Mastodon' reaches a mature spread of 56 inches (142.2 cm) and a height of 25 inches (63.5 cm), forming a semi-upright to mounded clump. It performs best in partial to full shade, as is typical for blue-leaved hostas, where its glaucous bloom persists longest. Its substantial size makes it suitable as a specimen or background plant in shaded borders, paired with ferns, *Astilbe*, or *Hakonechloa*.

Care Notes

Water regularly during dry periods to maintain leaf turgor and corrugation. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new shoots emerge. Like most hostas, 'Mastodon' is susceptible to slug and deer damage; monitor accordingly in typical hosta-growing zones.