Product Description
Hosta 'Diamond Lake' PP30769 CPBRAF (20)ct Flat
SHADOWLAND® Collection
Common Name: Hosta
Attractive, heart-shaped, thick and heavily corrugated blue leaves have wavy margins. The large size of this plant also translates to large leaves: they can get up to 9 inches wide by 11 inches long. Pale lavender flowers appear in early to midsummer. Use this blue hosta to add some color to your shade garden. This plays well with ferns, hellebores, and other hostas.
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.
American Hosta Society Eunice Fisher Award (Best large leaf hosta) -- 2021
Proven Winners National Hosta of the Year -- 2022
Height: 17.0 Inches
Spread: 45.0 Inches
Scape Height: 25.0-28.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Flower Color: Purple shades
Foliage Color: Blue shades
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 Butterflies
Growth Rate: Rapid
Border Plant, Cut Flower, Cut Foliage, Easy To Grow, Specimen, Focal Point, Mass Planting
The 2022 Hosta of the Year, Hosta 'Diamond Lake', is a captivating addition to any shade garden. Its large, heart-shaped leaves, reaching up to 9 inches wide and 11 inches long, boast a mesmerizing blue hue and are heavily corrugated with scalloped edges, resembling a delicate pie crust. This unique texture adds visual interest and depth to shady landscapes. Come mid-summer, pale lavender flowers emerge on tall scapes, reaching 25-28 inches, adding a touch of elegance to the display.
Characteristics Hosta 'Diamond Lake' is a clump-forming perennial that creates a lush mound of foliage. The captivating blue leaves, with their pronounced corrugation and scalloped edges, are not just aesthetically pleasing but also offer increased slug resistance. This characteristic makes it a particularly attractive choice for gardeners battling these common pests. It typically grows to a height of 24-30 inches and spreads 3-4 feet wide, making a bold statement in the shade garden. One of the most striking features of this Hosta is the way its blue leaves seem to glow in the soft light of the evening, creating an ethereal ambiance in the garden. It is important to note that this plant is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.
Hardiness Zones Gardeners in USDA Zones 3-9 can successfully cultivate Hosta 'Diamond Lake'. This wide range of hardiness makes it a versatile choice for various climates.
How to Grow and Care for Hosta 'Diamond Lake' Hosta 'Diamond Lake' thrives in morning sun or dappled sunlight throughout the day. While it appreciates some sun, it is crucial to protect it from the harsh afternoon sun, especially in warmer climates, as this can scorch its beautiful foliage. The ideal soil for this Hosta is humus-rich, moist, and well-drained. However, it is adaptable and can also grow in sandy or clay soils.
When planting Hosta 'Diamond Lake', ensure the hole is twice as wide as the container it comes in, but maintain the same depth. If your soil appears light in color, indicating a lack of organic matter, enrich it by adding humus, compost, or aged manure to the planting hole. This will provide essential nutrients and improve the soil's water-holding capacity.
Hostas are known for their low-maintenance nature, and 'Diamond Lake' is no exception. Provide it with shade, good soil, and consistent moisture, and it will flourish. The thick leaves not only contribute to its unique texture but also provide some drought tolerance, allowing it to withstand periods of dryness.
In northern zones, where ground freezing is common, applying a layer of mulch can help protect the plant during winter. However, it is beneficial to remove the mulch after a few years, as it can become a haven for slugs. To further deter pests, clear any fallen hosta foliage from the garden bed in early winter to eliminate potential hiding spots for slugs and their eggs.
For optimal growth, space your Hosta 'Diamond Lake' plants 48 inches apart. This spacing allows for adequate air circulation and prevents overcrowding as the plants mature.
While Hosta 'Diamond Lake' is generally pest-resistant, keep an eye out for rabbits, especially in spring, as they might nibble on the emerging shoots. If deer frequent your garden, consider protective measures such as deer-resistant companion plants, animal repellent, or fencing.
Bloom Time and Duration Hosta 'Diamond Lake' graces the garden with its pale lavender blooms in early summer. The flowers, held on elegant scapes that rise above the foliage, add a delicate charm to the display. While the blooming period is relatively short, the plant's primary attraction lies in its stunning foliage, which provides visual interest throughout the growing season.
Potential Pests and Diseases Slugs and snails are the primary pests that can affect Hosta 'Diamond Lake'. Regularly inspect the leaves for telltale holes, which indicate their presence. To mitigate slug damage, consider applying slug bait in early spring as new shoots emerge.
Companion Plants Hosta 'Diamond Lake' pairs beautifully with a variety of shade-loving plants. Consider combining it with Dolce® 'Wildberry' coral bells for a stunning contrast in foliage color and texture. The coral bells' vibrant purple hues complement the blue of the Hosta, while their smaller leaves provide a delicate counterpoint to the Hosta's bold form.
Hosta 'Diamond Lake' is a remarkable addition to any shade garden. Its unique blue foliage, with its captivating texture and evening glow, adds a touch of magic to shady landscapes. This low-maintenance perennial thrives in moist, well-drained soil and part shade to full shade, making it a versatile choice for various garden settings. Its hardiness and resistance to slugs further enhance its appeal. For a truly captivating display, consider planting it alongside companion plants like ferns and coral bells, creating a symphony of textures and colors in your 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!
