H. ‘Sarah Kennedy’

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

Hosta ‘Sarah Kennedy’ is a registered cultivar () .

Year registered2004
Section classIV-4b (Small)

Overview

Registered in 2004 as a sport of Hosta 'Ginko Craig', 'Sarah Kennedy' is a small-sized cultivar distinguished by its dark green leaves with unusually wide, pure white, heavily rippled margins. The leaf margins measure 0.8 to 1.3 cm (0.3 to 0.5 in) wide, notably broader than those of its parent, and the plant produces a compact, mound-like habit.

In the Garden

'Sarah Kennedy' reaches a mature height of 15.0 cm (5.9 in) and a spread of 34.8 cm (13.7 in), making it suitable for the front of borders, rock gardens, or container cultivation. It performs best in partial to full shade with consistent moisture, and its small stature and variegated foliage pair well with other shade-tolerant perennials such as ferns, heucheras, or small woodland sedges. The moderate growth rate and compact dimensions also make it a candidate for trough gardens or shaded patio pots.

Care Notes

Provide regular water during dry periods to maintain leaf turgor and margin color; apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. As with many variegated hostas, slug and deer damage may occur, so protective measures are advisable in areas where these pests are prevalent.

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 height5.9 in (15 cm)
Clump width13.7 in (34.8 cm)
Leaf length5.5 in (14 cm)
Leaf width2.4 in (6.1 cm)
Vein pairs13
Leafdark green with .3 to .5in (0.8 to 1.3cm) wide, pure white, heavily rippled margins; slightly shiny on top; slightly shiny underneath; lightly cupped
Flower scape height11–14 in (27.9–35.6 cm)
Seasonal colour changeslight darkening of green
Notable characteristicssmaller leaves and wider margin than parent

From the American Hosta Society Registry record.

Parentage

Similar cultivars

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

Related guides

Registration data: AHS Registry #4945. How we check this data.