H. ‘Riding High’

Overview

Registered in 2014 from unknown parentage, 'Riding High' is a giant variegated hosta distinguished by its intensely corrugated, nearly round leaves with dark green margins and heavy rippling. The cultivar forms a substantial mound 34 inches (86.4 cm) tall and 44 inches (111.8 cm) in diameter, with leaves reaching 13 inches (33.0 cm) long and 12 inches (30.5 cm) wide, each bearing 16 vein pairs.

In the Garden

This cultivar's large, corrugated foliage and moderate growth rate make it suitable for mid-border positions or as a specimen plant in partial to full shade. Its substantial mound, over three feet in height and nearly four feet across, provides textural contrast alongside ferns, astilbes, or other shade-tolerant perennials with finer foliage. The green scapes, reaching up to 40 inches (101.6 cm), produce flowers typical of the genus but are not a primary ornamental feature.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture during establishment and throughout dry periods; apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Standard slug and deer precautions are advisable, as the large, corrugated leaves may attract both pests in typical hosta-growing zones.