Product Description
Hosta 'My Fair Lady' PP35524 (20)ct Flat
Common Name: Hosta
Upright Hosta with cascading tri-colored foliage. Deep blue-green leaves have apple-green jetting around creamy yellow centers. Large white flowers are held on upright proportionate scapes. Begins blooming in early 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.
Height: 17.0 Inches
Spread: 36.0-40.0 Inches
Scape Height: 24.0-30.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Flower Color: White Shades
Foliage Color: Green shades, Blue shades, Variegated
Part Shade to Full Shade
Average to Consistent Water Needs
Average to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Midsummer, Late Summer
Attracts Hummingbirds
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Container, Cut Foliage, Easy To Grow, Attractive Foliage, Mass Planting, Specimen, Focal Point
Hosta 'My Fair Lady' is a stunning hosta cultivar that truly lives up to its name! It is known for its elegant, cascading foliage that displays a beautiful tricolor variegation, making it a standout in any shade garden. Here is a closer look at what makes 'My Fair Lady' so special:
Appearance:
- Leaves: The leaves are the star of the show with 'My Fair Lady'. They are elongated and pointed, with a unique tricolor variegation. The center of the leaf is a creamy yellow, which transitions to a lighter chartreuse green, and finally to a deep blue-green at the margins. This creates a beautiful, watercolor-like effect that is truly captivating. The leaves also have pronounced veining, adding another layer of texture and interest.
- Size: 'My Fair Lady' is a medium-sized hosta, forming an upright mound that reaches about 17 inches in height and 36-40 inches in width. This makes it a versatile choice for various garden settings.
- Flowers: In early summer, 'My Fair Lady' produces near-white flowers on tall, proportionate scapes (flower stalks) that rise above the foliage. The flowers are attractive in their own right, but the main attraction with this hosta is definitely the foliage.
Growing Information:
- Light: Like most hostas, 'My Fair Lady' prefers part shade to light shade. It can tolerate some morning sun, but it is best to avoid hot afternoon sun, which can scorch the leaves.
- Soil: It thrives in moist, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Adding compost or well-rotted manure to the planting hole will help to improve soil fertility and drainage.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells. However, avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
- Hardiness: 'My Fair Lady' is hardy in USDA zones 3-9, making it suitable for a wide range of climates.
Other Notable Features:
- Tricolor Variegation: The unique tricolor variegation of the leaves is the standout feature of 'My Fair Lady'. It is a real eye-catcher that adds a lot of interest to the shade garden.
- Upright Habit: The upright habit of this hosta makes it a good choice for adding vertical interest to the garden.
- Good Substance: The leaves have good substance, meaning they are relatively thick and resistant to damage from slugs, snails, and other pests.
Uses in the Garden:
- Shade Gardens: It is a perfect addition to any shade garden, where its unique foliage can add color and texture.
- Woodland Gardens: It blends beautifully with other shade-loving plants in a woodland setting.
- Specimen Plant: Its striking foliage makes it a great specimen plant, drawing the eye and adding a touch of elegance to the garden.
- Borders: It can also be used in borders, where its upright habit can help to define the edge of the garden bed.
Additional Tips:
- Protect from slugs and snails, which can damage the leaves.
- Divide clumps every few years to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding.
- Remove any dead or damaged leaves to keep the plant looking its best.
Hosta 'My Fair Lady' is a truly elegant and captivating hosta that is sure to become a favorite in your shade garden. Its unique tricolor variegation, upright habit, and good substance make it a standout choice for any hosta enthusiast.
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!
