H. ‘Smiley Face’

Overview

Registered in 2011, *Hosta* 'Smiley Face' is a small cultivar resulting from a cross between a *H. clausa normalis* F2 seedling and *H.* 'Strawberry Banana Smoothie'. It is visually distinctive for its nearly round, green leaves with flat yellow margins, combined with pink petioles and pink scapes.

In the Garden

Mature plants form a mound 7 inches (17.8 cm) tall and 16 inches (40.6 cm) in diameter, with a moderate growth rate. This small hosta is suitable for the front of borders, rock gardens, or container culture. It performs best in partial to dappled shade, typical of hosta-growing zones, and pairs well with other small shade perennials such as heucheras or ferns.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture during the growing season; apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like most hostas, it may be browsed by deer and is susceptible to slug damage, particularly on new foliage.