H. ‘Stiff Upper Lip’

Overview

Registered in 2010 by an unknown hybridizer, *Hosta* 'Stiff Upper Lip' is a large cultivar distinguished by its intensely blue-green, heavily corrugated leaves with a glaucous bloom on the undersides. The nearly round leaves, measuring 10 inches (25.4 cm) long and 8 inches (20.3 cm) wide, exhibit lightly twisted and wavy margins, with 11 pairs of veins and a dull upper surface.

In the Garden

This cultivar forms a substantial mound 22 inches (55.9 cm) tall and 48 inches (121.9 cm) in diameter, with a moderate growth rate. It performs well under a dark canopy, where its blue-green foliage and lavender flowers on scapes reaching 30 to 38 inches (76.2 to 96.5 cm) are particularly visible. Suitable for typical hosta-growing zones, it pairs effectively with ferns or other shade-tolerant perennials that contrast with its bold, corrugated leaves.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. The thick, corrugated leaves offer some resistance to slugs, though deer may still browse the foliage.