Blue Hostas: 30+ Varieties And Complete Topic Overview

In this article, we will look at the most interesting type of hosta, the blue hosta. Blue leaves are quite rare among perennials, so you will be interested.

Bluest hostas

Let’s start with the best blue hostas whose colors are the richest and most intense. You can find other options online, but this selection will give you a basic guide among such plants.

Blueberry Muffin Hosta

Blueberry Muffin is the bluest hosta available to you. It reaches a width of up to 3 feet and a height of up to 2 feet.

It has round deep blue leaves. Toward the end of the season, the color changes to a greenish blue. The leaves are beautifully textured, which is also an ornamental feature.

Plant this hosta in a place with full shade or 2-3 hours of the morning sun. Avoid planting in full sun.

Blue Tooth Hosta

Blue Tooth is a variety that has beautiful narrow leaves with sharp tips. The color of the leaves can be either gray-green or blue, depending on the age of the plant and the time of year.

It reaches a height of up to 1 foot and a width of 2-3 feet. The relatively small size allows this hosta to be grown even in small flowerbeds.

What makes Blue Tooth special is its vigor. In a fairly short line, you will get a beautiful mound of elongated and graceful leaves.

Rock and Roll Hosta

Rock and Roll are another of the more blue hostas. It has large rounded leaves with great texture. The color is dark blue and lasts almost the rest of the season.

The leaf shape is very pretty and resembles a saucer or cup. The leaf blade is inwardly concave, which adds to the interest of this variety.

The growth habit of this hosta is upright. It can reach a width of about 5 feet, which means it is a fairly sizeable variety. At the same time, it can grow up to 2.5 feet tall, making it one of the tallest blue hostas.

Blue Hawaii Hosta

Blue Hawaii is another the bluest hosta. Many compare the color of its leaves to the dark blue color of the water around the islands of the same name. In addition to the color, this variety has an interesting leaf shape and texture.

It reaches up to 2 feet tall and about 3 feet wide. So it is a moderate-sized hosta that can be grown in a small area.

Of the features, Blue Hawaii requires nutritious soil to reach its natural size. It also shows its color best in full shade.

Fragrant Blue Hosta

Fragrant Blue has intense blue leaves. However, if this hosta receives direct sun, the color will change to greenish or even green. Also, the brightness of the color decreases slightly towards the end of the season.

As for size, it reaches a height of about a foot and a half and a width of up to 3 feet. It needs extra nutrition and light soil to grow vigorously.

In full shade, it will surprise you with its deep blue color and corrugated leaf texture.

Large blue hosta varieties

Blue hostas of large size occupy a special place. Large blue leaves in the garden between the trees look if not fantastic, then at least delightful. So let’s take a closer look at this category.

Blue Angel Hosta

Blue Angel is the largest hosta in existence. Its leaves can exceed 1 foot in length! The color of the foliage is dark blue, it is very deep and rich. The texture of the leaf is wavy with many parallel veins.

This hosta can exceed 2 feet in height, making it also the tallest hosta. It can easily exceed 8 feet in width and is theoretically not limited by anything. If it is grown in the same spot for many years, you can get a giant bush.

As for growing, Blue Angel is the best candidate for growing under trees. This is because it can easily compete with tree roots and prefers full shade.

Big Daddy Hosta

Big Daddy is another large hosta with blue leaves. The color is very intense and appears best in full shade. In addition, the texture of the leaf is wrinkled, which makes it even more unusual.

The leaves are round and fairly large. The leaf blade is slightly turned inward and resembles the ears of an animal.

It can grow to a height of two feet or more. At the same time, its width can exceed 4 feet. It is a great hosta for large gardens.

Big Bubba Hosta

Big Bubba is a fairly new variety that has not yet gained popularity. But it is only a matter of time before it has huge greenish-blue leaves with a very noticeable texture.

The blue color is most pronounced when this hosta is growing in full shade. With some sun the color will be greenish blue or even grayish.

Big Bubba is 3 feet tall, making it one of the tallest hostas. It can reach 4 feet or more in width. In a relatively short time, you can get a huge mound of wonderful leaves.

Blue Mammoth Hosta

Blue Mammoth lives up to its name because it is a huge hosta. It can exceed 5 feet in width and 3 feet in height. This size requires a lot of space to grow it.

The leaves are round and very large. The color is dark blue. You need to plant this hosta in a shady spot to keep it from losing its color.

Blue Mammoth is a very vigorous variety that can compete with tree roots even in poor soil. However, it is best to provide it with loose, nutritious soil and fertilizer at least once a year.

Elegans Hosta

Elegans Hosta has slightly elongated heart-like leaves of rich blue color. This is possible because of the combination of the dark shade of the leaf and the white coating on it. This variety is definitely worth your attention first and foremost because of its large leaves.

The second advantage of this variety is the large flowers which are unusually abundant. They provide a delightful contrast to the dark blue foliage.

In terms of size, it is a large hosta for a big yard. Both tall and wide, it can reach over 3 feet. The growth rate is very fast and vigorous.

List of other big blue hostas

• Colossal Blue Hosta
• Big Mama
• Canadian Blue
• Blue Umbrellas
• Krossa Regal
• Elephant Ear
• Love Pat Hosta
• Azure Snow
• Blue Belle
• Blue Heaven
• Elvis Lives
• Frances Williams
• Hillbilly Blues
• Lakeport Blue
• Sea Sapphire
• Tenryu

Small blue hosta varieties

One of the most interesting is the dwarf blue hostas. There are many fans of small-size hostas and the blue color of the leaves is very appreciated in their community.

Blue Mouse Ears Hosta

Blue Mouse Ears is one of the smallest blue hostas. It rarely exceeds half a foot in width. It can reach about eight inches in width. Great for potting or for a rocky garden.

The leaves are very small and rounded. They very much resemble mouse ears hence the name. The color is greenish blue, but it can turn dark blue in full shade. If there is too much sunlight, the leaves will turn yellow.

It is a compact but quite vigorous variety. It grows best in light soil rich in organic matter. It should also be fertilized once a year with a slow-release fertilizer.

Snow Mouse Hosta

Snow Mouse is a miniature hosta with greenish-blue leaves. The center of the leaf can be either cream-white or light yellow. In full shade, the blue color will be more pronounced.

This is one of the smallest blue hostas as it rarely exceeds 6-8 inches in width. At the same time, it is usually no more than 4 inches tall.

Snow Mouse is very well suited for small beds decorated with rocks and dwarf conifers. It can also be successfully grown in pots.

This variety requires a loose and nutritious substrate to grow well. It needs to be watered in hot weather.

School Mouse Hosta

School Mouse is another dwarf hosta with a blue leaf center. The leaves are green along the edge. It is a very interesting combination that looks even more beautiful when the hosta is growing in full shade.

This variety usually does not reach more than 3 inches in height. It can grow 8 to 10 inches wide. This allows it to be grown in pots or trays.

Another distinguishing feature of the School Mouse Hosta is the undulation of the leaves. On top of that, the leaf is not flat in a wavy pattern, which will give the variety even more grace.

Blue Danube Hosta

Blue Danube is one of the bluest dwarf hostas. It has small, rounded, heart-shaped leaves. Sometimes the leaf can be slightly curved, which gives the plant more sophistication.

The color in full shade is deep blue. However, if you plant this hosta in the sun, it will immediately turn green-blue or even green.

The size of the Blue Danube is really dwarf. It is usually no more than 6 inches tall and about 12 inches wide.

This variety requires quite a bit of attention. You will have to regularly remove weeds around it, water it, and feed it.

Holy Mouse Ears Hosta

Holy Mouse Ears Hosta belongs to the ‘mouse series’ which means it is really tiny. It rarely exceeds 2 inches in height and 6 inches in width. Great for miniature gardens or container growing.

The leaves are very small and round. The color is blue with a white middle. If there is a lot of sun, the color will change to green-yellow.

This variety grows best in well-drained and nutritious soil. It also needs to be protected from slugs as these pests can easily destroy almost the entire bush.

List of other small blue hostas

• Baby Bunting
• Blue Moon
• Dorset Blue
• Hadspen Hawk
• Popo
• Mouse Madness

Medium blue hosta varieties

Medium blue hostas are probably the most common type of hosta. For this reason, such varieties are the most numerous. But here we will look at five of the most popular ones.

Abiqua Drinking Gourd Hosta

Abiqua Drinking Gourd is a unique hosta primarily because of its leaves. The shape of the leaf resembles a small bowl, which is a very fascinating sight. In addition, the leaves are slightly goffered, which also looks great.

Another unique feature is the deep dark blue color. This is best seen when the hosta is growing in full shade. In partial shade, the color will be greenish.

As for size, Abiqua Drinking Gourd usually grows up to 3 feet wide and 1 foot tall. It is a relatively compact hosta that doesn’t need much space to thrive.

Blue Shadows Hosta

Blue Shadows is an amazing hosta with leaves that have a dark blue edge and a green middle. The colors combine chaotically to create a unique pattern. The leaves are large and round, which makes them very unusual.

The size of this variety allows it to be grown in any garden. It reaches a width of about 3 feet and a height of no more than 1.5 feet. It can also be grown in large containers.

This hosta needs a nutritious substrate and watering. Otherwise, it may grow slowly and require a lot of attention.

Blue Cadet Hosta

Blue Cadet is without a doubt the most famous blue hosta in the world. Wherever you can grow hostas, you will find Blue Cadet on sale.

The reason why it is so widespread is because of its delightful heart-shaped leaves with a deep blue color. The white coating of the leaves is so abundant that you can even catch it with your fingers.

It is a medium-sized hosta with a tendency towards dwarfism. It usually does not exceed 2 feet in width and 1 foot in height.

In general, it is a trouble-free variety that can grow almost anywhere. However, it will need full shade for its beautiful blue color.

Bressingham Blue Hosta

Bressingham Blue is another wonderful hosta with blue leaves. The texture of the leaves is very puckered, which is a definite strength of this variety. The leaves are also slightly twisted, which gives it a bit of unpredictability.

The size of this variety is medium. Both in height and width, it rarely exceeds 3 feet. You can even plant it in a small yard or grow it in a pot.

This hosta has excellent hardiness that allows it to be grown in 3 to 9 zones. Provide it with nutrition and water for vigorous growth.

Halcyon Hosta

Halcyon is probably the second most famous hosta after Blue Cadet. It has slightly elongated blue leaves with sharp tips. On the whole the bush looks motley and vigorous. The striped texture of the leaves adds interest.

Halcyon reaches about a foot and a half tall and up to three feet wide. This makes it accessible to all gardens and beds. In fact, this variety is completely undemanding and you’ll be surprised how easy it is to grow.

List of other medium blue hostas

• Blue Jay
• Blue Clown
• Blue Wedgwood
• Hadspen Blue
• Osprey
• Pearl Lake
• Salute
• Valentine Lace
• Fragrant Blue Hosta
• Blue Arrow

Blue variegated hostas

Variegated blue hostas are a sight for your eyes. You should definitely plant at least one of these in your garden.

There are several types of blue-variegated hostas. Let’s look at them individually.

Blue hosta with white edges

The first type is a hosta where the middle of the leaf is blue and the edge is white. This is actually a very popular and desirable type.

Yellow and blue hostas

The second most popular variegated hostas are varieties with yellow leaves with blue in the middle. This is actually a very delightful combination of colors. They add variety to a garden because they are very striking and contrasting.

Blue-green hostas

Another type is the blue-green hosta. They are not as noticeable as the previous ones, but the combination of blue and green looks very mysterious. When you look at the leaves of such varieties you get the impression that they were drawn by some unknown artist.

How to grow blue hosta?

To successfully grow a blue hosta, plant it in a loose, nutritious substrate in early spring. It is best if it grows in a shady spot. The spacing between blue hostas should be 1 to 4 feet.

The best soil for blue hostas is a mixture of native soil and organic matter. Use only quality organic matter from reputable suppliers.

Water blue hostas when the soil is 2 inches or more dry. Use about 1 gallon of water for each bush. Avoid overwatering as this can cause crown rot.

Blue hostas are best propagated by division. The best time to do this is the first half of spring. They can also be propagated by seed and leaf petioles.

The reason for blue hostas not growing can be pests or diseases. Use fungicides against diseases and horticultural oil or insecticidal soap against pests.

Blue hostas can be grown in pots. This is especially true for dwarf and medium-sized varieties. Use pots at least 6 inches across and deep to be successful. Make sure the pots have drainage holes.

Do blue hostas prefer sun or shade?

Blue hostas prefer full shade. The best sun exposure for them would be no direct sunlight at all. In this case, you can count on a deep blue color.

This type of hosta can also tolerate a few hours of direct sun but only in the morning or evening. Getting direct sun the blue color will be less pronounced.

Blue hostas absolutely do not tolerate full sun. If you plant them in a location with more than 4 hours of direct sun, they will burn. Large yellow areas will form on the leaves that will turn brown over time.

Are there really blue hostas?

Blue hostas actually have green leaves covered with a white waxy coating. The combination of these two factors gives the blue color effect. If you wipe off the wax coating, the leaves will turn green.

Hostas produce a waxy coating on their leaves to reduce moisture evaporation. This is how the plant survives periods of drought.

In addition, waxed leaves serve as a natural barrier to pathogens. Fungal and other diseases are much more difficult to parasitize on the leaves if they are covered with a protective coating.

Many other plants also have a waxy coating on their leaves, stems, and even fruits.

Why did my blue hosta turn green?

Blue hostas turn green from too much direct sun. In addition, some varieties turn green at the end of the season regardless of sun exposure.

Blue hostas start out green, but very quickly their leaves become waxy. As a result, the color changes to bluish or deep blue. However, in summer they can turn green if they get direct sunlight.

To keep blue hostas blue, provide them with full shade. You can do this by using a shading net. Also, good watering and nutrition help to maintain the blue color.