H. ‘Rhino Blue’

Overview

A sport of *Hosta* 'Rhino Hide' registered in 2010, 'Rhino Blue' is a large blue-green cultivar distinguished by its intensely corrugated, nearly round leaves with a cordate base. The foliage is unusually thick—nearly two-tenths of an inch—and bears a dull, intensely blue-green surface with flat margins and 15 to 17 vein pairs per leaf.

In the Garden

'Rhino Blue' forms an upright clump reaching 20 inches (50.8 cm) in height and 30 inches (76.2 cm) in diameter, with a moderate growth rate. It performs best in partial to full shade, as is typical for blue-leaved hostas, where the blue coloration is most pronounced. The stiff petioles and thick leaves make it a structural choice for the middle of the border or as a specimen in shade gardens; it pairs well with ferns, heucheras, and other shade-tolerant perennials that contrast its blue foliage.

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. The thick leaves and stiff petioles confer notable slug resistance, though standard slug control measures remain advisable in high-pressure environments; deer may browse young shoots in typical hosta-growing zones.