Product Description
Hosta 'Cathedral Windows' PP17295 (20)ct Flat
Common Name: Hosta
Improving on his award-winning hybrid ‘Stained Glass’, this new selection from Hans Hansen is a large, tetraploid conversion.
Like a brighter version of ‘Holy Mole’, ‘Cathedral Windows’ quickly forms a large clump of rounded, bright gold leaves with very wide, dark green margins. As the leaves mature, they become dome shaped.
Large, fragrant, near-white flowers are produced well above the foliage in late summer.
Hostas are exceedingly popular perennials in today's gardens due to their versatility in the landscape. Their subtle colors, tall flower scapes, and broad, coarse leaves fill a niche in garden designs that few other plants can achieve. Their large leaves provide excellent coverage for dying bulb foliage. Hostas also grow well in city environments where the air may be polluted by car exhaust, etc.
Hostas grow best in moist, well-drained, highly organic soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Sandy loam is better than clay because it provides more aeration for the roots. High-filtered or dappled sunlight is necessary for clean, healthy growth. Morning sun is tolerable and will help to intensify the leaf colors, but hot afternoon sun is usually deadly to hostas. They are most at home in shady, woodland settings and often work well as specimen or edging plants.
Especially in northern zones, hostas should be mulched with a layer of finely shredded organic material to prevent heaving in the winter. Mulch is beneficial because it retains moisture around the plant's roots, but it is also the ideal place for slugs to hide. Watch for holes in the center of the leaves. If they are present, so are slugs. Applying a slug bait in early spring when new shoots are beginning to emerge will help to reduce the slug population. After a few years when plants are firmly established, the mulch can be removed completely, which should eliminate the slug problem altogether. Also be sure to clean all hosta foliage out of the garden in early winter after the plants have gone dormant. By doing so, you will be ridding the area of the eggs of slugs and other leaf-eating insects.
Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit -- 2012
Height: 19.0 Inches
Spread: 34.0 Inches
Scape Height: 40.0-43.0 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: Late Summer
Attracts Hummingbirds
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Container, Cut Foliage, Easy To Grow, Fragrant Flowers, Attractive Foliage, Mass Planting
Hosta 'Cathedral Windows' is a stunning variety of hosta that is sure to add a touch of elegance to any shade garden. It is a large hosta with bright gold leaves that are surrounded by a wide, dark green margin. This hosta is particularly prized for its intensely fragrant flowers that bloom in late summer. It is a special variety with a unique genetic makeup that gives it thicker leaves and a more vigorous growth habit.
Characteristics Hosta 'Cathedral Windows' is an improved variant of Hosta 'Stained Glass'. It originated as a hybrid, developed by Hans Hansen from a tetraploid mutation of Hosta 'Stained Glass'. It was registered in 2006. This unique genetic makeup results in thicker, sturdier leaves and a more vigorous growth habit compared to diploid hostas.
Leaves The leaves of Hosta 'Cathedral Windows' are truly captivating. They are large, 9-10" round, and dome-shaped. Each leaf boasts a vibrant gold center surrounded by a wide, 3" dark green border. The leaves emerge light green in spring and gradually transform into a brighter gold as the season progresses. They are thick and sturdy, holding their color well throughout the growing season.
Flowers In late summer, Hosta 'Cathedral Windows' produces tall flower scapes that rise above the foliage, adorned with large, fragrant flowers. The flowers are pale lavender in color and emit a sweet and intoxicating fragrance that permeates the garden. These fragrant blooms make it a favorite of hummingbirds and butterflies.
This hosta is a good choice for urban environments as it tolerates air pollution. It is a herbaceous perennial plant with a moderate to vigorous growth rate. It has a clump-forming, mounded plant habit and typically reaches a height of 48 cm with a spread of 86 cm.
| · Alternate Cultivar | Cathedral Windows |
| · Patent | PP17295 |
| · Hardiness Zone | 3 |
| · Height | 22 inches |
| · Spread | 24 inches |
| · Flower Color | Pale lavender |
| · Bloom Time | Summer |
| · Exposure | Partial Shade/Shade Tolerant, Full Shade |
| · Attracts Wildlife | Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds |
| · Tolerance | Black Walnut Tolerant, Clay Soil Tolerant, Dry Shade Tolerant |
| · Foliage Color | Variegated: Green/Yellow |
Care Requirements Hosta 'Cathedral Windows' thrives in moist, well-drained, highly organic soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Sandy loam is preferable to clay as it provides better aeration for the roots. While it prefers partial shade to full shade, it is also one of the most sun-tolerant hostas, easily thriving in up to 4-6 hours of sun daily, as long as the soil is kept moist. Avoid planting it in deep or very dry shade.
- Watering Water regularly, especially during the first one or two growing seasons to establish a strong root system. Ensure the soil remains consistently moist but not soggy.
- Fertilizing In early spring, apply a light amount of slow-release fertilizer to provide essential nutrients. Avoid getting any fertilizer on the leaves, as this can cause burning.
- Pest Control Slugs can be a common pest for hostas. To control them, apply slug bait in early spring when new shoots begin to emerge. After a few years, when the plants are firmly established, the mulch can be removed completely, which should help eliminate the slug problem.
- General Maintenance Other than clearing away the dead foliage in the fall, Hosta 'Cathedral Windows' requires minimal maintenance. Voles and deer may also be pests in some areas. If hail damages the leaves, they can be cut to the ground, and the plant will re-flush with new growth. Old flower stalks are best removed for aesthetic purposes, although they do not affect the plant's health.
Companion Plants Hosta 'Cathedral Windows' can be beautifully combined with other shade-loving plants to create a lush and diverse garden. Here are some excellent companion plant suggestions:
- Astilbe: These plants offer feathery plumes in shades of red, pink, purple, or white, providing a lovely contrast to the bold foliage of Hosta 'Cathedral Windows'.
- Athyrium 'Lady in Red': This fern adds a touch of elegance with its reddish-purple fronds, complementing the gold and green of the hosta.
- Bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis): With its charming heart-shaped flowers in shades of pink, white, or red, bleeding heart provides a delicate contrast to the hosta's bold leaves.
- Hakonechloa 'Aureola': This Japanese forest grass adds texture and movement with its cascading golden foliage.
- Heuchera 'Evening Gown': The dark purple leaves of this coral bells variety create a striking contrast with the hosta's gold and green foliage.
- Ferns: The light and airy texture of ferns provides a beautiful contrast to the large, solid leaves of Hosta 'Cathedral Windows'. Consider incorporating different fern varieties for added diversity.
- Hydrangeas: Hostas and hydrangeas are a classic combination. The hosta's foliage complements the large, showy blooms of hydrangeas.
- Coral bells (Heuchera): With their variety of colors and textures, coral bells add visual interest and complement the hosta's foliage.
- Tulips: Plant tulips among the hostas in the fall. They will emerge in the spring, adding a burst of color before the hosta's leaves fully develop.
- Brunnera: Brunnera, with its frosted foliage, creates a beautiful tapestry of textures when planted alongside Hosta 'Cathedral Windows'.
Hosta 'Cathedral Windows' is a truly remarkable hosta that offers a unique combination of beauty and resilience. Its striking gold and green foliage, combined with its intensely fragrant flowers, makes it a captivating addition to any shade garden. The vigorous growth habit and low-maintenance nature of this hosta make it an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners. Whether planted as a specimen, in mass plantings, or combined with other shade-loving companions, Hosta 'Cathedral Windows' is sure to be a cherished centerpiece in any garden. Its ability to thrive in urban environments and its tolerance for varying light conditions further enhance its versatility. With its captivating beauty and ease of care, Hosta 'Cathedral Windows' is a true gem among shade perennials.
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!
