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Hosta 'Halcyon'

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
HOSS-tuh
Description

'Halcyon' hosta is an herbaceous perennial in the Asparagaceae (asparagus) family and a cultivar in the Tardiana Group of hostas. This cultivar has flat, blue-green, spear-shaped leaves and is grown for its beautiful foliage. It is considered one of the best blue hosta cultivars, retaining the leaf color longer than other varieties.  

This plant will grow in full sun or deep shade but prefers moist, well-drained soil. It will reach up to 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide.

Use it as a mass planting in a border front or along a walkway or sloped area. Tuck it into the small spaces in a courtyard or around a patio or pool. It takes the dense shade of understory planting in woodland gardens, giving some blue contrast in dark areas of the landscape. Plant in a cutting garden or pollinator garden where you can enjoy visits by hummingbirds.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Monitor for snails, slugs, and nematodes among the leaves. Deer enjoy the foliage. Leaf spot and crown rot rarely occur. Plants may become infected with the Hosta Virus X, tobacco rattle virus, or tomato ringspot virus. If any of these are detected, the plant should be removed and destroyed. Voles may destroy the plant by eating the roots. Hail storms may damage exposed leaves.

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Ground covers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. 

More information on Hosta.

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Tags:
#small spaces#wildlife plant#shade garden#colorful leaves#low maintenance#mass planting#deer browsing plant#blue-green leaves#cutting garden#courtyard garden#border front#nectar plant summer#walkway planting#small group plantings#patio planting#black walnut toxicity tolerant#heavy shade tolerant#woodland garden#vole damage
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#small spaces#wildlife plant#shade garden#colorful leaves#low maintenance#mass planting#deer browsing plant#blue-green leaves#cutting garden#courtyard garden#border front#nectar plant summer#walkway planting#small group plantings#patio planting#black walnut toxicity tolerant#heavy shade tolerant#woodland garden#vole damage
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Hosta
    Family:
    Asparagaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Wildlife Value:
    Flowers attract hummingbirds.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Mounding
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Description:
    Lilac-blue flowers appear in the late summer.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Large flattened heart shaped frosty blue-green leaves with pointed tips.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Patio
    Pool/Hardscape
    Slope/Bank
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Shade Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Heavy Shade