Product Description
Hosta 'Drop Dead Gorgeous' PP33318 (20)ct Flat
A beautifully variegated large, majestic hosta. Large, ovate leaves have green centers with brightly contrasting yellow margins. The margins are heavily rippled and give the leaves a lightly wavy overall effect. White flowers appear above the foliage in midsummer. A showy specimen for the shade!
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.
Height: 30 Inches
Spread: 86 Inches
Scape Height: 28 - 41 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Flower Color: White shades
Foliage Color: Green shades, Variegated
Part Shade to Full Shade
Average to Consistent Water Needs
Average to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Mid-Summer
Attracts Hummingbirds
Growth Rate: Rapid
Border Plant, Container, Cut Foliage, Easy To Grow, Attractive Foliage, Mass Planting
Hosta 'Drop Dead Gorgeous' is a truly stunning hosta that lives up to its name. It is a large, bold variety with striking variegated foliage that will make a statement in any shade garden. Here is a breakdown of its key features and growing requirements:
Key Features:
- Large, Eye-Catching Leaves: 'Drop Dead Gorgeous' boasts huge, heart-shaped leaves with a unique color pattern. The leaves have a deep green center with a wide, bright yellow margin that turns creamy white as the season progresses. The margins are also heavily ruffled, adding to the plant's overall texture and visual appeal.
- Impressive Size: This is a large hosta, growing to about 30 inches tall and spreading up to 86 inches wide. It forms a substantial mound of foliage that will fill in a significant area of your garden.
- White Flowers: In midsummer, 'Drop Dead Gorgeous' produces tall, sturdy flower stalks with clusters of near-white, bell-shaped flowers. While the flowers are attractive, the main attraction of this hosta is definitely its foliage.
- Slug Resistance: While no hosta is completely slug-proof, 'Drop Dead Gorgeous' is considered to have good slug resistance due to its thick leaves.
- Long-Lived: Hostas are known for their longevity, and 'Drop Dead Gorgeous' is no exception. With proper care, it can thrive in your garden for many years.
Growing Conditions:
- Zones: 3-9 (It is hardy in a wide range of climates)
- Sun: Partial shade to full shade. It prefers some morning sun but should be protected from the hot afternoon sun, which can scorch the leaves.
- Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained, and organically rich soil. Amend the soil with compost or other organic matter before planting.
- Water: Water regularly, especially during dry spells, to keep the soil consistently moist.
Care Tips:
- Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and protect the leaves from soil splash.
- Slug Control: While 'Drop Dead Gorgeous' has some slug resistance, it's still a good idea to monitor for slugs and snails and take preventative measures if necessary.
- Division: Divide clumps every few years to prevent overcrowding and rejuvenate the plant.
Uses in the Landscape:
- Specimen Plant: 'Drop Dead Gorgeous' is a showstopper and can be used as a focal point in a shade garden.
- Mass Plantings: Planted in groups, it creates a dramatic display of bold foliage.
- Mixed Borders: It can be used in mixed borders with other shade-loving plants, such as ferns, astilbes, and heucheras.
- Container Gardening: It can also be grown in large containers, adding a touch of elegance to patios and decks.
If you are looking for a large, dramatic hosta with stunning variegated foliage, Hosta 'Drop Dead Gorgeous' is an excellent choice. Its impressive size, unique color pattern, and relative slug resistance make it a valuable 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!
