H. ‘Shady Choice’
Hosta ‘Shady Choice’ is a registered cultivar () .
| Year registered | 1998 |
|---|---|
| Section class | IV-1 (Small) |
Overview
Registered in 1998 as a sport of *Hosta* 'Tokudama', 'Shady Choice' is a small, mound-forming cultivar distinguished by its variegated foliage: medium green leaf margins frame a lighter center, with seven pairs of veins per leaf. The leaves are 7 inches (17.8 cm) long and 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) wide, with a dull upper surface and a slightly shiny underside, and a rounded base.
In the Garden
'Shady Choice' reaches a mature spread of 20 inches (50.8 cm) and a height of 16 inches (40.6 cm), with a fast growth rate that forms a dense, rounded clump. It thrives in partial to full shade, typical of hosta-growing zones, and is well-suited for the front of borders, rock gardens, or as edging. Its small size also makes it an excellent candidate for container cultivation. Pair with fine-textured shade perennials such as ferns or *Heuchera* for contrast.
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 control measures as needed.
Size and leaf
| Clump height | 16 in (40.6 cm) |
|---|---|
| Clump width | 20 in (50.8 cm) |
| Leaf length | 7 in (17.8 cm) |
| Leaf width | 3.5 in (8.9 cm) |
| Vein pairs | 7 |
| Leaf | dull on top; slightly shiny underneath |
| Flower scape height | 26–28 in (66.0–71.1 cm) |
From the American Hosta Society Registry record.
Parentage
- Sport parent: Sport of H. 'Tokudama'
Similar cultivars
Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (IV-1, small size):
- H. ‘Kokuryu’ (2000)
- H. ‘Nellie Grey’ (2002)
- H. ‘Midnight Ride’ (2004)
- H. ‘Temple Bells’ (1992)
- H. ‘Almost’ (2005)
- H. ‘Bridegroom’ (1990)
Related guides
Registration data: AHS Registry #5070