H. ‘Urchin’

Overview

Registered in 2013, 'Urchin' is a small, variegated hosta notable for its distinctive leaf morphology, where the pointed tips of the ruffled margins project outward from the plant like spines. The cultivar derives from a complex parentage involving *Hosta* 'Candy Dish', *H. pycnophylla*, *H.* 'Harvest Dandy', and *H.* 'Raspberry Sorbet' as the pod parent, with an open-pollinated seedling of *H.* 'Atom Smasher' as the pollen parent.

In the Garden

'Urchin' forms a compact, mound-like clump reaching 8 inches (20.3 cm) in height and 13 inches (33.0 cm) in diameter, with a medium to fast growth rate. Its lance-shaped leaves, 5 inches (12.7 cm) long and 1.25 inches (3.2 cm) wide, feature medium green flat margins, a very shiny upper surface, and a dull underside; each leaf bears five vein pairs, a tapered base, and moderate folding and waviness. This small hosta is well-suited for rock gardens, container plantings, or the front of a shaded border, and pairs effectively with fine-textured ferns or small sedges in typical hosta-growing zones.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like many hostas, 'Urchin' may be susceptible to slug damage, though its relatively narrow, upright leaves may offer some resistance; deer browsing is also a potential concern in areas where these animals are present.