H. ‘Rusty Bee’

AI-generated watercolor illustration of Hosta 'Rusty Bee' (not a photograph)
AI-generated watercolor illustration by The Hosta Farm — not a photograph of this cultivar. How we use images

Hosta ‘Rusty Bee’ is a registered cultivar () .

Year registered1998
Section classIV-1 (Small)

Overview

Registered in 1998, this small hosta cultivar arose as a hybrid of Hosta 'Beatrice'. Its visual distinction lies in the variegated foliage, featuring light green leaves with slightly rippled margins, a dull upper surface, and a slightly shiny underside with rounded leaf bases.

In the Garden

Hosta 'Rusty Bee' forms a compact, mound-like clump reaching 12 inches (30.5 cm) in height and 22 inches (55.9 cm) in diameter, with a moderate growth rate. It performs best in partial to full shade, typical of hosta-growing zones, and is well-suited for small garden spaces, rock gardens, or container cultivation. Companion plants such as ferns, heucheras, or small woodland perennials complement its modest stature.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Slugs and deer may damage foliage; monitor regularly and employ barriers or repellents as needed.

This summary was generated with AI from the registry record and has not been reviewed yet; the registry data on this page is the reference. How we use AI.

Size and leaf

Clump height12 in (30.5 cm)
Clump width22 in (55.9 cm)
Leaf length6 in (15.2 cm)
Leaf width3 in (7.6 cm)
Vein pairs5
Leaflight green slightly rippled margins; dull on top; slightly shiny underneath
Flower scape height22–23 in (55.9–58.4 cm)

From the American Hosta Society Registry record.

Parentage

  • Pod parent: Hybrid of H. 'Beatrice'

Similar cultivars

Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (IV-1, small size):

Related guides

Registration data: AHS Registry #4895. How we check this data.