H. ‘Mississippi Mud’

Overview

Registered in 2000 as a hybrid of Hosta 'Sagae', 'Mississippi Mud' is a giant blue-green cultivar distinguished by its substantial mound form and large, cordate leaves with slightly rippled margins. The leaves exhibit a medium blue-green upper surface with a slight sheen and a glaucous bloom beneath, supported by 14 pairs of veins.

In the Garden

This cultivar forms a broad mound reaching 60 inches (152.4 cm) in diameter and 30 inches (76.2 cm) in height, with a moderate growth rate. It performs best in partial to full shade, typical for hostas, and pairs well with ferns, heucheras, and other shade-tolerant perennials that contrast with its blue-green foliage. Its giant size makes it unsuitable for containers but effective as a specimen or focal point in woodland gardens and shaded borders.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like most large-leaved hostas, 'Mississippi Mud' is susceptible to slug and deer damage, requiring protective measures in areas where these pests are prevalent.