H. ‘Winter Frost’

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.