H. ‘Nathan Hale’

Overview

Registered in 2009 by K. Walek, *Hosta* 'Nathan Hale' is a giant blue-green cultivar of unknown parentage. It is visually distinctive for its broadly ovate, heavily corrugated leaves with a glaucous bloom on both surfaces, forming a dense, mound-like clump that resembles *H. 'Elegans'*.

In the Garden

This cultivar reaches 48 inches (122 cm) in diameter and 24 inches (61 cm) in height, with leaf blades up to 15 inches (38 cm) long and 11 inches (28 cm) wide. It performs best in partial to full shade, where its blue-green foliage and moderate corrugation are most pronounced. The tall scapes, reaching 22 to 26 inches (56 to 66 cm), bear pale lavender flowers in midsummer. Suitable companions include ferns, astilbes, and other shade-tolerant perennials; its large size makes it inappropriate for containers.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture during the growing season, particularly in dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Slugs and deer may damage foliage; monitor regularly and take protective measures if needed. This cultivar is hardy in typical hosta-growing zones.