H. ‘Orion's Belt’

Overview

Registered in 2003, this large hosta cultivar was hybridized from *H.* 'Pin Stripe' as seed parent and *H. montana* macrophylla as pollen parent. Its most distinctive feature is the broad, pure white margin—1.5 inches (3.8 cm) wide—contrasting sharply with the dark green leaf center, a combination that gives the plant a striking bicolor appearance.

In the Garden

'Orion's Belt' forms a dense, mound-like clump reaching 18 inches (45.7 cm) in height and 40 inches (101.6 cm) in diameter. It performs best in partial to full shade, as is typical for hostas, where the white margins remain crisp without scorching. The large, broadly ovate leaves with cordate bases make it suitable as a specimen or for mid-border placement alongside ferns, heucheras, and other shade perennials.

Care Notes

Water regularly during dry periods to maintain even soil moisture, and apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like most hostas, this cultivar is susceptible to slug and deer damage, so protective measures may be necessary in gardens where these pests are prevalent.