Product Description
Hosta 'Dream Weaver' (B. Reutenik, K. Walek 96) (20)ct Flat
Medium - Large.
- A sport of 'Great Expectations'
- Large, distinctive leaves have very wide, blue-green margins and sharply contrasting creamy white centers
- Leaves are nearly round and are corrugated
- White flowers appear on 26" scapes in midsummer
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
American Hosta Society Benedict Garden Performance Award Honorable Mention -- 2006
American Hosta Society Benedict Garden Performance Award of Merit -- 2010
Height: 18 Inches
Spread: 30 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: Midsummer
Attracts Hummingbirds
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Container, Cut Foliage, Easy To Grow, Mass Planting
Hosta 'Dream Weaver' is a captivating variety of hosta known for its large, distinctive leaves with wide, blue-green margins and sharply contrasting creamy white centers. It is a sport of 'Great Expectations', but with a wider margin and better growth rate. Most growers should expect a mature size of around 20-24" tall and 48" wide, although it can reach up to 72" wide in ideal conditions. The leaves are nearly round and have a corrugated texture, adding to their visual appeal. In midsummer, 'Dream Weaver' produces white flowers on 26-inch scapes (flower stalks). This hosta is a 2012 recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Characteristics Hosta 'Dream Weaver' is a giant hosta cultivar that forms a large mound of blue and yellow contrasting leaves. It was hybridized by B. Ruetenik/K. Walek in 1996. The leaves emerge with a bright yellow center surrounded by a wide blue margin. As the season progresses, the centers transition to a creamy white, creating a striking contrast with the blue-green borders. There are often lighter green and even grey-green streaks where the center color and margin overlap. One of the key characteristics that sets 'Dream Weaver' apart from its parent, 'Great Expectations', is its wider margin and better growth rate. This means that 'Dream Weaver' will typically grow larger and fill in more quickly, making it a desirable choice for gardeners.
Hosta 'Dream Weaver' is not native to North America. It can be used as a border plant, container plant, for cut foliage, as a specimen plant, or as a focal point in the garden. Its 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. The flowers are bell-shaped and white and bloom in early to midsummer. The leaves are heart-shaped. The growth rate is moderate. It can be used in container gardening and can attract bees. It can also be used for erosion control and attracts hummingbirds.
Hardiness Zones Hosta 'Dream Weaver' thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9. This means it can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and growing conditions, making it suitable for gardens in many different regions.
Companion Plants
| Plant Name | Description | Benefits |
| Aruncus dioicus (Goatsbeard) | Tall, airy perennial with white plumes | Provides height contrast and a delicate texture that complements the bold foliage of 'Dream Weaver'. |
| Astilbe 'Bridal Veil' | Astilbe variety with delicate white flowers | Offers a contrasting texture and color, creating visual interest alongside 'Dream Weaver'. |
| Carex 'Evergold' (Evergold Sedge) | Sedge with gold foliage | Adds a touch of gold to the shade garden and provides textural contrast with its fine foliage. |
| Heuchera 'Apple Twist' (Coral Bells) | Coral bells variety with striking foliage with apple green and burgundy hues | Creates a vibrant contrast with the blue-green and creamy white leaves of 'Dream Weaver'. |
| Tiarella 'Cutting Edge' (Foamflower) | Foamflower with deeply cut leaves with dark markings | Adds further interest to the shade garden with its unique foliage. |
| Bleeding Heart (Dicentra) | Classic shade plant with heart-shaped flowers | Provides a delicate contrast to the bold foliage of 'Dream Weaver'. |
| Ligularia (Ligularia) | Perennial with large, rounded leaves | Adds a dramatic touch to the garden with its bold foliage. |
| Columbine (Aquilegia) | Charming plant with bell-shaped flowers | Adds a touch of whimsy to the shade garden with its delicate flowers. |
| Lungwort (Pulmonaria) | Early spring bloomer with spotted leaves | Adds color and interest to the garden before 'Dream Weaver' emerges. |
Planting and Care The best time to plant Hostas is in the spring. Hostas tolerate a wide range of soils, but do best in well-drained soil. They can grow in filtered sun, full shade, partial shade, and partial sun. The ideal soil type for Hosta 'Dream Weaver' is slightly acidic, evenly moist, well-drained, humusy soil. 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. Hostas have average water needs and should be watered regularly, but not overwatered. They should be fertilized once per year. Spent flower stems should be removed to tidy up the plants. 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. Old, faded foliage should be removed before new leaves emerge in early spring.
Propagation Hostas are very easy to propagate through division.
Hosta 'Dream Weaver' is a stunning and versatile plant that can add a touch of elegance to any shade garden. Its large, variegated leaves with blue-green margins and creamy white centers make it a standout in the landscape. This cultivar is a sport of 'Great Expectations', but with a wider margin and better growth rate, making it a popular choice among gardeners. 'Dream Weaver' thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9 and prefers moist, well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. It can tolerate a range of light conditions, from full shade to partial sun, but benefits from morning sun exposure. In midsummer, it produces white, bell-shaped flowers on 26-inch scapes. Hosta 'Dream Weaver' is a relatively low-maintenance plant that can be enjoyed by gardeners of all levels. By incorporating companion plants with contrasting colors and textures, such as Aruncus dioicus, Astilbe 'Bridal Veil', and Heuchera 'Apple Twist', you can create a dynamic and captivating display 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!
