Product Description
Hosta 'Captain Kirk' (Brill 1999) (25) Bare Root Plants
- An impressive, eye-catching large hosta; makes an excellent specimen plant
- An improved sport of 'Gold Standard' with much wider, dark green margins, gold centers, and heavier substance
- Pale lavender flowers appear on 30" scapes in midsummer
- Developed by a Trekkie, you can beam down the sun's rays on this sun tolerant Hosta.
Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit -- 2012
American Hosta Society Benedict Garden Performance Award Honorable Mention -- 2016
American Hosta Society Benedict Garden Performance Award of Merit -- 2017
Height: 20 Inches
Spread: 36.0 Inches
Scape Height: 30 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Flower Color: Purple 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: Midsummer
Attracts Hummingbirds
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Container, Cut Foliage, Easy To Grow, Mass Planting, Specimen, Focal Point
Hosta 'Captain Kirk' is a captivating perennial that adds a bold touch to any shade garden. This cultivar, an improved sport of the renowned 'Gold Standard' hosta, boasts striking variegated foliage and elegant lavender blooms. Introduced by Iowa's Kirk Brill, an avid Trekkie, the Hosta 'Captain Kirk' was named after the famous Star Trek captain. With its impressive size, rapid growth rate, and resilience, 'Captain Kirk' has become a favorite among gardening enthusiasts. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the characteristics, care requirements, and growing conditions that make this hosta a stellar addition to your landscape.
Characteristics Hosta 'Captain Kirk' is best known for its large, eye-catching leaves. These emerge chartreuse in spring, transitioning to a vibrant gold with wide, dark green margins as the season progresses. The leaves are widely oval, slightly arching, dimpled, and strongly veined, forming an overlapping mound of foliage. The foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground. The striking contrast between the gold centers and dark green edges creates a visually dynamic display that adds depth and texture to shady gardens. 'Captain Kirk' is an improved sport of 'Gold Standard' with thicker leaves and heavier substance. It is also a recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
In midsummer, pale lavender flowers rise on tall scapes, reaching about 30 inches in height. These delicate blooms provide an elegant contrast to the bold foliage and attract pollinators such as hummingbirds.
'Captain Kirk' is a medium to large-sized hosta, typically growing to about 20 inches tall and spreading 36 inches wide, reaching up to 3 feet wide at maturity. It is a vigorous grower, quickly establishing itself and forming a dense mound of foliage that requires no facer plants.
Care Requirements Hosta 'Captain Kirk' is essentially a maintenance-free perennial. It is a relatively low-maintenance plant, making it an excellent choice for gardeners of all skill levels. Here are some essential care tips to ensure its optimal health and vigor:
- Light: 'Captain Kirk' thrives in partial to full shade. While it tolerates more sun than many other hosta varieties, excessive sunlight can bleach the golden centers of the leaves. For the best color, plant it in an area that receives morning sun and afternoon shade.
- Soil: This hosta prefers moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Sandy loam is ideal, as it provides good aeration for the roots. While it can tolerate clay soil, amending it with compost or other organic matter will improve drainage and fertility.
- Water: 'Captain Kirk' prefers consistently moist soil but should not be allowed to dry out completely. Water regularly, especially during hot, dry periods.
- Fertilizer: While not a heavy feeder, 'Captain Kirk' benefits from regular fertilization. Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring and again after the first wave of flowering.
- Maintenance: This hosta requires minimal pruning. Remove any discolored or damaged leaves as needed. In the fall, you can cut back the foliage to tidy up the garden.
- Mulch: In northern zones, consider mulching with finely shredded organic material to prevent heaving during winter. However, be aware that mulch can also provide a haven for slugs, so monitor the plants regularly.
- Pests and Diseases: Hostas are susceptible to slugs and snails, which can damage the foliage. Watch for holes in the leaves and take appropriate measures to control these pests. 'Captain Kirk' is generally disease-resistant, but it is essential to provide good air circulation to prevent fungal issues.
- Toxicity: Hosta 'Captain Kirk' is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Keep it out of reach of pets to prevent accidental ingestion.
Ideal Growing Conditions Hosta 'Captain Kirk' thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9. It prefers a shady location with moist, well-drained soil. Hostas like 'Captain Kirk' are great to brighten a woodland garden. Here is a summary of the ideal growing conditions:
- Sunlight: Part shade to full shade (4-6 hours of direct sunlight or less)
- Soil: Moist, well-drained, rich in organic matter
- Water: Average water needs; keep soil consistently moist
- Temperature: Tolerates a wide range of temperatures, but prefers cool, humid conditions
- pH: Adaptable to various soil pH levels, but prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil (5.5-7.5)
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!
