H. ‘Mean Joe Green’

Overview

Registered in 2008, *Hosta* 'Mean Joe Green' is a medium-sized cultivar bred from *Hosta* 'Riptide' as the pod parent and an unnamed seedling as the pollen parent. The plant is visually distinctive for its blue-green, heavily rippled leaves with a slightly shiny upper surface and dull underside, combined with dark lavender flower buds that open in clustered heads.

In the Garden

'Mean Joe Green' reaches approximately 15 inches (38.1 cm) in height and 30 inches (76.2 cm) in diameter, with an upright, moderate growth habit. It performs best in partial to full shade, as typical for blue-green hostas, and its thick leaf substance provides good resistance to disease and insects. The medium size and bold foliage make it suitable for mid-border positions or as a specimen in shaded beds, pairing well with ferns or other shade-tolerant perennials.

Care Notes

Water regularly during dry periods to maintain consistent soil moisture, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. The thick leaves offer some resistance to slugs, though monitoring may still be necessary in damp conditions.