H. ‘Mean Mama’

AI-generated watercolor illustration of Hosta 'Mean Mama' (not a photograph)
AI-generated watercolor illustration by The Hosta Farm — not a photograph of this cultivar. How we use images

Hosta ‘Mean Mama’ is a registered cultivar () .

Year registered1995
Section classII-6a (Large)

Overview

A sport of Hosta 'Dorothy Benedict', registered in 1995, 'Mean Mama' is a large hosta distinguished by its blue-green leaves with wide, yellow-gold margins. The leaf blades exhibit a glaucous bloom on both surfaces and feature slightly rippled, dark green margins approximately 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) wide.

In the Garden

'Mean Mama' forms a slow-growing, mound-like clump reaching 14 inches (35.6 cm) in height and 18 inches (45.7 cm) in diameter at maturity. It performs best in partial to full shade, typical of most hostas, and is suitable for woodland gardens, shaded borders, or as a specimen planting. Its substantial leaf size and contrasting margins pair well with ferns, astilbes, and other shade-tolerant perennials.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like many large-leaved hostas, 'Mean Mama' is susceptible to slug and deer damage; monitoring and appropriate controls may be necessary.

This summary was generated with AI from the registry record and has not been reviewed yet; the registry data on this page is the reference. How we use AI.

Size and leaf

Clump height14 in (35.6 cm)
Clump width18 in (45.7 cm)
Leaf length10 in (25.4 cm)
Leaf width7 in (17.8 cm)
Vein pairs13
Leafyellow gold with 1.5in (3.8cm) wide, dark green, slightly rippled margins; glaucous bloom on top; glaucous bloom underneath
Flower scape height15–22 in (38.1–55.9 cm)

From the American Hosta Society Registry record.

Parentage

Similar cultivars

Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (II-6a, large size):

Related guides

Registration data: AHS Registry #3698. How we check this data.