H. ‘Russ O'Harra’

Overview

Registered in 1999 by the Russ O'Harra Hosta Society, this giant blue-green cultivar was developed from a select form of *Hosta nigrescens* 'Elatior'. It is visually distinctive for its very large, cordate leaves with a glaucous bloom on the undersides and a slightly shiny upper surface, borne on upright scapes reaching over six feet.

In the Garden

'Russ O'Harra' reaches a mature diameter of 78 inches (198 cm) and a height of 40 inches (102 cm), with scapes extending 72 to 74 inches (183–188 cm) above the foliage. It is best sited in partial to full shade, where its blue-green color holds best, and performs well as a specimen or backdrop plant in large borders. Its substantial size makes it unsuitable for containers.

Care Notes

Water regularly during dry periods, especially when establishing. Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as growth emerges. The thick leaves show moderate slug resistance, but standard slug control measures may still be warranted in damp conditions.