H. ‘Winter Frost’

Hosta ‘Winter Frost’ is a registered cultivar () .

Year registered2013
Section classIII-2 (Medium)

Overview

Registered in 2013, this medium-sized cultivar resulted from a complex cross involving *Hosta nigrescens*, *H. tsushimensis* 'Ogon', and *H. yingeri*. The plant is visually distinctive for its intensely blue-green, broadly ovate leaves with moderately rippled margins, a glaucous bloom on both surfaces, and a pronounced twist at the leaf tip that gives the foliage a stiff, structured appearance.

In the Garden

Mature plants form a mound-like clump reaching 36 inches (91.4 cm) in diameter and 17 inches (43.2 cm) in height, with a medium to fast growth rate. It performs best in partial to full shade, where the blue-green leaf color remains most intense. The moderate size and bold leaf texture make it suitable for mid-border positions or as a specimen in shade gardens, pairing well with ferns or fine-textured groundcovers.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture during dry periods, particularly in the first growing season to establish a deep root system. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like most hostas, it is susceptible to slug and deer damage; monitoring and protective measures may be necessary in high-pressure areas.

Size and leaf

Clump height17 in (43.2 cm)
Clump width36 in (91.4 cm)
Leaf length8.5 in (21.6 cm)
Leaf width6 in (15.2 cm)
Vein pairs9
Leafintensely blue-green moderately rippled margins; glaucous bloom on top; glaucous bloom underneath; moderately folded, moderately wavy
Flower scape height28 in (71.1 cm)
Notable characteristicsleaf has a strong stiff appearance starting with a strong wavy edge, deeply veined surface ending with a full twist at its end, blue color reminds one of winter frost

From the American Hosta Society Registry record.

Parentage

  • Pod parent: (H. nigrescens x open pollinated sdlg)
  • Pollen parent: F2 sdlg from (H. tsushimensis 'Ogon' x H. yingeri)

Similar cultivars

Other registered hostas in the same AHS section class (III-2, medium size):

Related guides

Registration data: AHS Registry #6162