Product Description
Hosta 'Curly Fries' (20)ct Flat
This irresistible miniature to small sized hosta is the perfect accompaniment for bright blue hostas like ‘Prairie Sky’, especially when planted together in containers or near the front of the border. It forms an arching, wiggly clump of extremely rippled, narrow leaves. Position this hosta where it will receive morning sun, as its chartreuse foliage will be brightest there. Mature plants will develop red speckled petioles. Lavender flowers top the clump in midsummer.
2016 AHG Hosta of the Year
Height: 6 Inches
Spread: 16 Inches
Scape Height: 16 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Flower Color: Blue shades
Foliage Color: Yellow shades
Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun) to Full Shade (< 4 hrs. Direct Sun)
Average to Consistent Water Needs
Average to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Late Summer
Attracts Hummingbirds
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Container, Cut Foliage, Easy To Grow, Mass Planting, Specimen, Focal Point
Hosta 'Curly Fries' is a captivating variety of hosta prized for its distinctive curly foliage and compact growth habit. This modern cultivar is known for its unusual foliage texture and ability to thrive in shady gardens. It belongs to the Hosta genus, which is native to East Asia and has been cultivated for centuries for its ornamental value.
Characteristics Hosta 'Curly Fries' features tightly curled, narrow leaves that emerge with a bright chartreuse color in spring and gradually deepen to a golden yellow hue as the season progresses. The leaves are extremely rigid and have very wavy edges. In the summer, it blooms with pale lavender flowers on high stems. Mature plants will develop red speckled petioles. This hosta is considered a miniature to small variety, reaching a mature height of 6 inches and a spread of 16 inches.
One of the most unique aspects of Hosta 'Curly Fries' is its origin. It is a seedling from the usually sterile Hosta 'Pineapple Upsidedown Cake'. This unique parentage contributes to its distinctive appearance and makes it a standout among other hosta varieties. In 2016, it was named Hosta of the Year by The American Hosta Growers Association, further solidifying its popularity and recognition among gardening enthusiasts.
To truly appreciate the unique beauty of Hosta 'Curly Fries', it's worth taking a look at some images online. The tightly curled, wavy leaves create a sense of movement and texture that is unlike any other hosta. A quick online image search will reveal the captivating visual appeal of this plant.
Care Requirements Hosta 'Curly Fries' thrives in partial to full shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil with ample organic matter.
- Soil: For optimal growth, provide a soil pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Sandy loam is preferable to clay as it provides better aeration for the roots. This hosta is also somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, making it a suitable choice for city gardens.
- Sunlight: While it can tolerate some morning sun, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight may cause leaf burn. Ideally, it should receive 4-6 hours of dappled or indirect sunlight.
- Water: It benefits from regular watering, especially during hot, dry periods. Ensure the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- Pests: Hosta 'Curly Fries' is known for its slug resistance. This is likely due to its thick leaves, which are generally less appealing to slugs than thinner-leaved varieties. However, if slugs are a problem in your garden, you can use slug bait or other deterrents to protect your plants.
- Fertilization: A light application of time-release fertilizer or side-dressing with compost in early spring can help promote healthy growth.
Growth Habits Hosta 'Curly Fries' forms an arching, wiggly clump of extremely rippled, narrow leaves. It is a deciduous perennial, meaning it dies back to the ground in winter and re-emerges in spring.
This hosta is very easy to propagate through division. This can be done at any time during the growing season with little to no effect on the parent plant. Simply dig up the plant, carefully separate the roots, and replant the divisions.
Companion Plants Hosta 'Curly Fries' pairs well with other shade-loving plants, such as:
- Bright blue hostas like 'Prairie Sky': The contrasting colors and textures create a visually appealing combination.
- Ferns: The delicate fronds of ferns, such as the 'Ghost' Fern, provide lush contrast with their deeply dissected, patterned, or green leaves, complementing the bold, curly leaves of 'Curly Fries'.
- Coral Bells (Heuchera): These shade-loving perennials come in a stunning variety of colors and patterns, adding pops of vibrancy near your hostas.
- Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis): The charming heart-shaped flowers of bleeding heart, which come in shades of pink, white, or red, offer a delicate contrast to the bold leaves of the hosta.
- Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina var. angustum 'Lady in Red'): The reddish stems of this fern create an attractive contrast with the hosta's chartreuse leaves.
- Hakone Grass (Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola'): The cascading foliage of Hakone grass adds a graceful touch to the garden.
- Astilbe: With its showy plumes in colors of red, pink, purple, or white blooming above lacy foliage in summer, Astilbe provides a delicate upright structure that contrasts nicely with the bold mounding foliage of hosta.
- Azalea (Rhododendron): These evergreen or deciduous shrubs produce funnel-shaped flowers in an array of colors in spring, with some reblooming in fall. Hostas can be used as an underplanting, or pair azaleas and hostas in a foundation planting or woodland setting.
Hosta 'Curly Fries' is a delightful and low-maintenance plant that adds a touch of whimsy to any shade garden. Its unique foliage, compact size, and adaptability make it an excellent choice for gardeners of all levels. Imagine this charming hosta gracing your garden, its curly leaves adding a playful touch to a shady corner or brightening up a container on your patio. Its versatility allows it to shine as an edging plant, a focal point in a rock garden, or a companion to other shade-loving perennials. With its easy care and captivating appearance, Hosta 'Curly Fries' is sure to bring you years of enjoyment.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
