Product Description
Hosta 'Hudson Bay' PP23598 (20)ct Flat
SHADOWLAND® Collection
An improvement over its parent, ‘Eskimo Pie’, this new sport is a much showier, larger specimen and a stronger grower overall. The wider, brighter blue margin and apple green jetting contrast nicely with the creamy white center all season long. The leaves are of heavy substance, exhibiting good slug resistance in the landscape.
This plant forms a large mound of attractive foliage topped with near-white flowers on white scapes in early summer.
Proven Winners National Hosta of the Year -- 2024
Height: 24.0 Inches
Spread: 24.0 Inches
Scape Height: 26 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Flower Color: White shades
Foliage Color: Variegated
Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun) - Full Shade (< 4 hrs. Direct Sun)
Average to Consistent Water Needs
Average to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Early Summer
Attracts Hummingbirds
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Container, Cut Foliage, Easy To Grow, Mass Planting
Hosta 'Hudson Bay' is a striking hosta cultivar that brings a refreshing touch to shade gardens with its large, variegated leaves and contrasting colors. It is an improved sport of 'Eskimo Pie' and boasts a more vigorous growth habit and a showier appearance. Here is a closer look at its captivating features:
Appearance:
- Variegated Foliage: 'Hudson Bay' displays large, broadly heart-shaped leaves with a creamy white center and wide, blue-green margins. The creamy white center is often splashed with lime green, adding another layer of interest. The leaves are thick and have a heavy substance, making them less susceptible to slug damage.
- Near-White Flowers: In early summer, it produces near-white flowers on 26-inch white scapes (stalks) that rise above the foliage.
- Mounding Habit: It forms a large, mounding habit, typically reaching about 2 feet tall and 2 feet wide.
Growing Conditions:
- Shade: Thrives in partial shade to full shade. It prefers some shade during the hottest part of the day to prevent the leaves from scorching.
- Moist Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter.
- Hardiness Zones: Suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3-9, making it a versatile choice for many gardeners.
Care:
- Watering: Water regularly, especially during dry periods, to keep the soil consistently moist.
- Fertilizing: Fertilize in spring with a balanced fertilizer to promote healthy growth.
- Mulching: Mulching around the plant helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Dividing: Divide clumps every few years in spring or fall to maintain vigor.
Uses:
- Shade Gardens: Adds a bright and colorful accent to shade gardens.
- Borders: Can be used as a border plant to illuminate shady areas.
- Containers: Its relatively compact size makes it suitable for containers on shaded patios or balconies.
- Specimen Plant: Its unique foliage makes it a great choice for a specimen plant in a container or a special spot in the garden.
Additional Information:
- Slug Resistance: It exhibits good resistance to slugs, a common pest for hostas.
- Improved Sport: 'Hudson Bay' is an improved sport of 'Eskimo Pie', with a wider, brighter blue margin and a more vigorous growth habit.
- Parentage: It is a sport of 'Eskimo Pie', which is itself a sport of 'Gold Standard'.
If you are looking for a hosta with large, variegated leaves, good slug resistance, and a vigorous growth habit, Hosta 'Hudson Bay' is an excellent choice. It is a beautiful and reliable addition to any shade garden.
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!
