Product Description
Hosta 'Waterslide' PP30303 CPBR6261 (20)ct Flat
With the addition of this beautiful blue Hosta, the color range of the SHADOWLAND® collection is now well-rounded. 'Waterslide' has wavy, ruffled leaves with heavy substance. The blue, rippled leaves look like water splashing in the shade garden and hold their blue color well into the summer season. Lavender flowers appear on proportionate flower scapes in late summer. This medium-sized hosta is a perfect companion to 'Wheee!' and suitable for landscapes and containers alike.
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: 14.0 Inches; Spread: 32.0 Inches
Scape Height: 17.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Flower Color: Purple Shades; Foliage Color: Blue shades
Part Shade to Full Shade
Average to Consistent Water Needs
Bloomtime: Midsummer
Attracts Hummingbirds
Border Plant, Cut Flower, Cut Foliage, Easy To Grow
Hosta 'Waterslide' is a captivating perennial that adds a touch of elegance and tranquility to any shade garden. With its unique foliage and easy-care nature, it has become a favorite among gardening enthusiasts. This comprehensive guide explores the characteristics, growing conditions, companion plants, and online retailers for Hosta 'Waterslide'.
Characteristics of Hosta 'Waterslide' Hosta 'Waterslide' is a newer introduction from Hans Hansen and a member of the Proven Winners SHADOWLAND Collection. It is a clump-forming perennial that forms an attractive mound of wavy, ruffled blue leaves. The leaves have a heavy substance and retain their blue color well into the summer, making it a standout choice for a shade garden. The unique characteristic of this hosta is the wavy, ruffled leaves that look like splashing water, adding a dynamic element to the landscape.
- Foliage The foliage of Hosta 'Waterslide' is its most striking feature. The leaves are blue-gray with heavily ruffled edges and deep veining. They are thick and have a heavy substance, which makes them less appealing to slugs. The leaves come to a distinct tip and sometimes twist at the tip, adding to the plant's unique appearance.
- Flowers In late summer, lavender flowers appear just above the foliage mound. The flowers are held on proportionate flower scapes and attract hummingbirds.
- Growth Habit This medium-sized hosta grows to about 14 inches tall and 32 inches wide. It is a moderately fast-growing cultivar that is suitable for gardens and containers.
Growing Conditions for Hosta 'Waterslide' Hosta 'Waterslide' thrives in partial shade to full shade in fertile, moist, well-drained soils. It prefers 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 can be harmful. In the hottest climates, it prefers partial shade or dappled shade, and some varieties will do great in full shade. It is important to shelter the plant from cold, dry winds.
It is important to watch for slugs and snails, which could damage the attractive foliage. Hostas with thick leaves like 'Waterslide' are typically less appealing to slugs than other types. To propagate Hosta 'Waterslide', divide the plant in early spring or late summer.
Toxicity to Pets Hosta 'Waterslide' is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. If you have pets that like to graze in the garden, it is best to plant this hosta in an area where they cannot reach it.
Companion Plants for Hosta 'Waterslide' Hosta 'Waterslide' can be beautifully combined with other shade-loving plants to create a stunning display in the garden. Some recommended companion plants include:
- Hosta 'Wheee!': This hosta has chartreuse-gold leaves with pie-crust edges, providing a lovely contrast to the blue foliage of 'Waterslide'. It grows to about 12 inches tall and 24 inches wide.
- Athyrium 'Lady in Red': This fern has striking red stems and lacy green fronds, adding a touch of color and texture to the garden. It grows to about 24 inches tall and 36 inches wide.
- Dicentra 'Gold Heart': This bleeding heart has golden foliage and pink heart-shaped flowers, creating a charming combination with 'Waterslide'. It grows to about 30 inches tall and 18 inches wide.
- Heucherella 'Eye Spy': This foamy bells cultivar has striking foliage with dark purple centers and lime green edges, complementing the blue leaves of 'Waterslide'. It grows to about 12 inches tall and 18 inches wide.
- Ligularia 'Bottle Rocket': This leopard plant has tall spikes of yellow flowers and large, dark green leaves, providing a bold contrast to 'Waterslide'. It grows to about 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide.
- Pulmonaria 'Spot On': This lungwort has silver-spotted leaves and blue flowers, adding a touch of elegance to the garden. It grows to about 12 inches tall and 18 inches wide.
- Aruncus 'Chantilly Lace': This goat's beard has airy plumes of white flowers and fern-like foliage, creating a delicate contrast with 'Waterslide'. It grows to about 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide.
- Convallaria majalis: This lily of the valley has fragrant white bell-shaped flowers and spreads to form a ground cover. It grows to about 6-8 inches tall and spreads indefinitely.
- Astilbe chinensis 'Vision in Pink': This Chinese astilbe has pink feathery plumes and glossy green foliage, adding a touch of romance to the garden. It grows to about 24 inches tall and 18 inches wide.
- Polygonatum multiflorum: This Solomon's seal has arching stems with white bell-shaped flowers and attractive foliage. It grows to about 2-3 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide.
Hosta 'Waterslide' is a remarkable perennial that brings a touch of serenity and elegance to any shade garden. Its unique blue foliage, lavender flowers, and adaptability make it a standout choice for gardeners of all levels. By following the growing conditions and considering companion plants, you can create a captivating display that will enhance the beauty of your landscape. With its low-maintenance nature and resistance to pests, Hosta 'Waterslide' contributes to a serene and easy-care shade garden, making it an excellent choice for gardeners seeking tranquility and beauty.
Twenty (20) plants per flat (or tray). Approximate Plug Measurements: 4.25 inches deep x 2 inches wide.
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!
