Product Description
Hosta 'Silly String' PP32127 (20)ct Flat
This is definitely a hosta that you can identify without a plant tag! This unique hosta has narrow blue leaves with intensely wavy margins. The leaves are the bluest in spring, as the season progresses the leaves become more blue green. Pale purple flowers top the plant for a perfect package. Perfect for containers or the front of the shade garden.
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.
Hostas are very easy to propagate through division. This can be done at any time during the growing season with little or no effect on the growth of the parent plant. Since each division should have at least 3 eyes, plants should be allowed to mature for several years before being divided.
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: 14.0 Inches
Spread: 28.0 Inches
Scape Height: 17.0-27.0 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: Midsummer
Attracts Hummingbirds
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Container, Cut Foliage, Easy To Grow, Attractive Foliage, Small, Specimen, Focal Point
Hosta 'Silly String' is a unique and playful hosta variety that stands out with its unusually narrow, wavy leaves and attractive purple flowers. It is a great choice for adding texture and a touch of whimsy to shade gardens. Here is a breakdown of its key features and growing requirements:
Key Features:
- Distinctive Foliage: 'Silly String' features narrow, ribbon-like leaves with intensely wavy margins, giving it a unique, almost grass-like appearance. The leaves emerge blue in spring and transition to blue-green as the season progresses.
- Compact Size: It is a relatively small hosta, growing to about 14 inches tall and spreading up to 28 inches wide. This makes it suitable for smaller gardens, containers, or the front of a shade border.
- Purple Flowers: In midsummer, it produces pale purple, trumpet-shaped flowers on tall stalks that rise above the foliage, adding another layer of interest.
- Attracts Hummingbirds: The flowers are attractive to hummingbirds, making it a valuable addition to a pollinator garden.
- Easy Care: Like most hostas, 'Silly String' is relatively low-maintenance and easy to grow.
Growing Conditions:
- Zones: 3-9 (It is hardy in a wide range of climates)
- Sun: Full shade to partial 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 'Silly String' is not particularly susceptible to slugs, it's still a good idea to monitor for them and take preventative measures if necessary.
- Division: Divide clumps every few years to prevent overcrowding and rejuvenate the plant.
Uses in the Landscape:
- Borders: Its compact size and unique foliage make it perfect for adding texture and contrast to borders.
- Containers: It thrives in containers, adding vertical interest to patios and decks.
- Small Gardens: Its relatively small size makes it ideal for small gardens where space is limited.
- Mixed Plantings: It can be used in mixed plantings with other shade-loving plants, such as ferns, astilbes, and heucheras, to create a diverse and colorful display.
If you are looking for a hosta with a unique and playful appearance, Hosta 'Silly String' is an excellent choice. Its distinctive foliage, attractive flowers, and relatively low-maintenance nature 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!
