H. ‘Velvet Glove’

Overview

Registered in 2013, *Hosta* 'Velvet Glove' is a medium-sized cultivar of unknown pollen parentage, with *Hosta* 'Zany Janie' as its pod parent. It is visually distinctive for its broadly ovate, medium green leaves with a 1-inch (2.5 cm) wide, greenish white, slightly rippled margin, and its dull, non-glossy leaf surfaces on both top and underside.

In the Garden

'Velvet Glove' forms a moderate-growing, mound-like clump reaching 10 inches (25.4 cm) in height and 23 inches (58.4 cm) in diameter. It performs best in partial to full shade, as is typical for hostas, and its good color contrast between the green center and light margin makes it effective for brightening darker border areas. It pairs well with ferns, heucheras, and other shade-tolerant perennials, and its medium size suits it for the middle of a shaded border or as a specimen in a mixed container.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like most hostas, 'Velvet Glove' is susceptible to slug and deer damage, so protective measures may be necessary in gardens where these pests are prevalent.