Product Description
Hosta 'Wu-La-La' PP31309 (20)ct Flat
SHADOWLAND® Collection
This sport of 'Empress Wu' takes the size and presence of the massively popular hosta and takes it to the next level with an attractive margin. Blue-green leaves have striking apple-green margins, as well as good substance. Like 'Empress Wu', this hosta will take about 5 years to reach full maturity and size. Once you get there, the size of this plant will definitely be a conversation starter! Violet flowers appear in early to midsummer.
Mississippi State University Ornamental Trial Top Performer -- 2021
Height: 3.0-4.0 Feet
Spread: 4.0 Feet
Scape Height: 5.0-6.0 Feet
Hardiness Zones: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Flower Color: Purple shades
Foliage Color: Blue shades 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: Early to Midsummer
Attracts Butterflies
Growth Rate: Rapid
Border Plant, Cut Flower, Cut Foliage, Easy To Grow, Specimen, Focal Point
Hosta 'Wu-La-La' is a truly exceptional hosta cultivar that commands attention with its impressive size and striking variegated foliage. This low-maintenance perennial is a sport of the renowned Hosta 'Empress Wu', inheriting its gigantic proportions while adding a unique touch with vibrant apple-green margins that beautifully contrast with the deep blue-green centers of its leaves. This captivating variegation sets 'Wu-La-La' apart from its parent plant and many other hosta cultivars, making it a stunning focal point in any shade garden.
- Size: Reaches a mature height of 3 to 4 feet with a spread of 5 to 6 feet.
- Leaves: Large, heart-shaped leaves with deep blue-green centers and striking apple-green margins. The leaves are heavily corrugated, adding to their textural interest.
- Flowers: Produces light lavender, bell-shaped flowers on scapes that can reach 5 to 6 feet tall in early to midsummer.
- Growth Rate: A slower grower, taking up to 5 years to reach its full size.
- Hardiness: Hardy in USDA zones 3-9.
- Light Requirements: Thrives in part shade to full shade.
- Pest Resistance: Highly resistant to slugs due to its thick leaves.
Hosta 'Wu-La-La' is a premium hosta variety, meaning it has undergone rigorous trials and has been recognized for its exceptional performance and characteristics. It has been named a top performer by Michigan State University and Mississippi State University, further attesting to its excellence in the garden. This cultivar was discovered by Walters Gardens as a sport of Hosta 'Empress Wu'.
Growing and Caring for Hosta 'Wu-La-La' Hosta 'Wu-La-La' is a relatively low-maintenance plant, but providing optimal growing conditions will help it reach its full potential and showcase its majestic presence in your garden. Here are some essential care tips:
- Soil: Plant in moist, well-drained, organically rich soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Sandy loam is preferable to clay as it provides better aeration for the roots.
- Light: While it tolerates full shade, 'Wu-La-La' benefits from some morning sun or dappled sunlight to intensify its leaf colors. Avoid harsh afternoon sun, which can scorch the leaves.
- Water: Water regularly, especially during the first growing season, to establish a deep root system. Once established, it has some drought tolerance but prefers consistently moist soil.
- Fertilizer: A light application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring is usually sufficient. Avoid over-fertilization, which can lead to excessive leaf growth and reduced vigor.
- Mulch: Applying mulch helps retain soil moisture but can also provide a haven for slugs. If using mulch, consider removing it after a few years once the plant is established.
- Winter Care: Clean up dead foliage in early winter to prevent pest problems. In colder zones, mulch can be applied to prevent heaving.
- Maintenance: Remove any yellow or dead leaves and cut back flower spikes after blooming.
- Rain Gardens: Hosta 'Wu-La-La' is well-suited for rain gardens due to its tolerance for moist soil.
- Ground Cover: Larger hosta cultivars like 'Wu-La-La' can be used as a ground cover to suppress weeds and add textural interest to the landscape.
- Containers: Hostas can be grown in containers, making them versatile additions to patios, decks, and other spaces.
- Companion Plants: Hostas are excellent companion plants for other shade-loving perennials such as astilbe, ferns, and coral bells. They can also be used to cover the dying foliage of spring bulbs.
- Urban Tolerance: Hostas are known to tolerate some level of urban pollution, making them suitable for city gardens.
- Propagation: Hostas can be easily propagated by division, allowing you to expand your collection or share with friends.
- Pollinators: The flowers of Hosta 'Wu-La-La' attract pollinators such as hummingbirds and bees, adding to the ecological value of your garden.
- Cut Flowers: The tall flower scapes of hostas can be used as cut flowers, bringing their elegant beauty indoors.
- Winter Interest: The dried seed heads of hostas can add visual interest to the winter garden.
- Deer Resistance: Hostas are generally deer resistant, making them a good choice for gardens frequented by these animals.
- Slopes: Hostas can be used to stabilize slopes and prevent erosion with their spreading habit.
- Edging Plants: Hostas can be used as edging plants to define pathways or create borders in the garden.
- Focal Points: Hostas can be used to focus attention to specific landscape features, such as statues or water features.
- Woodland Gardens: Hostas are ideal for woodland gardens, where their foliage blends seamlessly with the natural surroundings.
- Versatile Uses: Hostas can be incorporated into a variety of garden styles, including Asian-inspired gardens, cottage gardens, eclectic gardens, formal gardens, and shade gardens.
- Specimen Plants: With their impressive size and unique foliage, hostas like 'Wu-La-La' can stand alone as specimen plants, creating a dramatic statement in the landscape.
- Mass Plantings: Hostas can be used in mass plantings to create a sea of lush foliage, providing a calming and serene atmosphere.
- Border Plantings: Hostas can be used in border plantings to add texture and contrast to other perennials and shrubs.
Hosta 'Wu-La-La' is a remarkable addition to any shade garden. Its impressive size, unique variegated foliage, and low-maintenance nature make it a standout perennial. The large, heart-shaped leaves create a dramatic effect in the garden, while the light lavender flowers add a touch of elegance. This versatile plant can be used as a ground cover, in containers, as a specimen plant, or in mass plantings. It is also deer resistant and attracts pollinators.
With proper care, this majestic plant will thrive in your garden, providing years of beauty and enjoyment.
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!
