H. ‘Quicksilver’

Hosta 'Quicksilver'
Illustration: The Hosta Farm Editorial Team.

Hosta ‘Quicksilver’ is a registered cultivar () .

Year registered2000
Section classIII-4b (Medium)

Overview

Registered in 2000, this medium-sized cultivar resulted from a cross between *Hosta* 'Dark Star' (pod parent) and *Hosta nigrescens* 'Elatior' (pollen parent). 'Quicksilver' is visually distinctive for its blue-green leaves edged with creamy white margins, the leaf surface being slightly shiny above and dull beneath, with a slightly rippled margin and rounded base.

In the Garden

'Quicksilver' forms an upright clump reaching approximately 24 inches (61.0 cm) in height and 36 inches (91.4 cm) in diameter, with a moderate growth rate. It performs best in partial to full shade, as typical for blue-leaved hostas, and pairs well with ferns, astilbes, and other shade perennials. Its medium size makes it suitable for mid-border positions in woodland gardens or shaded beds.

Care Notes

Water regularly during dry periods, particularly in the first growing season to establish a deep root system. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like most hostas, 'Quicksilver' is susceptible to slug and deer damage; monitor for these pests and apply controls as needed in typical hosta-growing zones.

Size and leaf

Clump height24 in (61 cm)
Clump width36 in (91.4 cm)
Leaf length9 in (22.9 cm)
Leaf width6 in (15.2 cm)
Vein pairs8
Leafmedium blue green creamy white, slightly rippled margins; slightly shiny on top; dull underneath
Flower scape height28 in (71.1 cm)

From the American Hosta Society Registry record.

Parentage

  • Pod parent: H. Dark Star
  • Pollen parent: H. nigrescens 'Elatior' — H. ‘Elatior’

Similar cultivars

Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (III-4b, medium size):

Related guides

Registration data: AHS Registry #4536