4 Dwarf Hostas

Hosta 'Praying Hands': a curiously upright original

Of modest dimensions both in height and width (30 cm by 40 cm), Hosta ‘Praying Hands’ is a charming variety featuring leaves that remain curiously upright, curled or even almost tendril-like, giving it a great deal of originality and elegance.

The green leaves, finely edged with cream yellow, are narrow with well-defined veins, and are borne on straight, rigid stems that give this Hosta an unusual habit, particularly enhanced when placed in a slightly tall pot. Of course, ‘Praying Hands’ can also be planted in a border where it adds a touch of eccentricity and a lovely contrast of shapes, for example within a border of Hostas with rounder foliage. During its summer flowering, it showcases beautiful lavender mauve flowers that barely emerge from the foliage (they can reach up to 45 cm high), but provide a lovely density of colour as they are particularly clustered at the top of the flower spike. Like all Hostas, ‘Praying Hands’ requires moist soil, partial to light shade, or even dense shade, where it will flower just a little less. Remember to provide it with rich humus and sufficient watering during dry summer months.

Hosta ‘Praying Hands’

Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears': a miniature blue Hosta

Among the miniature Hostas, ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ is one of the “must-haves” in the garden, both for its sumptuous blue hue and the charming shape of its tiny leaves, resembling little mouse ears with their slightly tapered and pointed tips. The very thick leaves are a lovely bluish-grey green, with a matte and velvety appearance, finely marginate with a white edge, and are providentially avoided by gastropods. It is truly miniature, generally not exceeding 15 cm in height, with a spread of about twenty centimetres, the lamina forming an almost round heart shape of 5 to 6 cm. However, it forms a well-compact plant, providing a lovely presence on its own, grouped in threes, for example, in a shaded rockery. This is certainly the environment that suits it best, as the blue of its foliage thrives in dense, cool shade, which does not damage the fine layer of bloom covering it. It can also wonderfully adorn small border beds, serve as ground cover in a dedicated area, and is equally delightful in pots. The flowers are pale, a beautiful very light lavender blue, and especially of a nice size compared to the reduced dimensions of the foliage. This variety is particularly robust and long-lived… you will surely find a little nook to grow it and will adopt it for many years to come.

Hosta ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ in rockery (© Cultivar 413)

Hosta 'Pilgrim': small but ample and ultra bright

What irresistibly catches the eye about ‘Pilgrim‘ is its truly attractive colour, variegated with a remarkable light green centre, a grey-green halo, and bordered by a wide margin that starts yellow and turns to cream during the summer. It also boasts very small dimensions, measuring no more than 30 cm in height, but spreading up to 60 cm wide, allowing for a lovely sprawling clump in a border, along a path, or in a large pot. The heart-shaped leaves have undulating edges and quite pronounced veins. Hosta ‘Pilgrim’ can also thrive in shady rockeries, its variegated foliage brightening up a dim spot. Its flowering occurs in mid-July, featuring lavender bell-shaped flowers that rise well above the foliage. Like other Hostas, it is particularly hardy. Provide it with rich, moisture-retentive soil that remains cool in summer, well-drained, and do not hesitate to add leaf mould or compost for it to fully develop. Snails and slugs are not much of a concern with this endearing little pilgrim!

Hosta ‘Pilgrim’

Hosta 'Stiletto': graphic and exotic

To conclude this selection of mini Hostas, here is ‘Stiletto‘, the “stiletto” Hosta: it indeed has very slender foliage that almost makes us forget it belongs to the genus Hostas. With a mass of very narrow leaves edged in cream and then white, it stands out with its unique style, bringing a touch of whimsy and a lot of exoticism to partially shaded spaces. In pots, as well as in borders or within areas composed of shade perennials, such as Epimediums, ferns, and Brunneras, it immediately creates a graphic effect. It can even be paired with certain Sasas (miniature bamboos that should be carefully surrounded with a rhizome barrier) with which it humbly mingles. Measuring between 15 and 20 cm in height, it is the smallest of this selection, developing a bit more in width, but what a look with this variegated foliage and such a particular shape… A boon for Hosta collectors! Its lavender flowers striped with purple are also very beautiful, elegantly highlighted above the foliage that remains tight and compact.

Hosta Stiletto (© Dornenwolf)