H. ‘Shady Choice’

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.