Hosta Shadowland® 'Miss America'

Bring spectacular elegance to the shaded areas of your garden with Hosta Shadowland® 'Miss America'! This majestic perennial unfurls large, thick, textured leaves, beautifully variegated with dark green margins and a bright creamy white to yellow center. A true natural work of art, it creates a striking focal point and brightens the darkest corners, offering a refined presence throughout the season.

Characteristics

• Foliage: Large, heart-shaped leaves, very thick and heavily corrugated, offering a distinctive "quilted" texture. They feature spectacular variegation: a wide creamy to bright yellow center that brightens as the season progresses, framed by a dark green margin. Foliage is deciduous (disappears in winter).
• Flowering: Produces delicate pale lavender flowers on tall, rigid flower scapes in mid-summer. While pretty, the main appeal of this hosta lies in its foliage.
• Light Requirements: Ideal for part shade to full shade. Avoid direct afternoon sun exposure, which can scorch the leaves, especially in hot climates. Too little light can reduce the intensity of the center's colour.
• Habit: Forms a large, dense, and majestic clump with a spreading habit.
• Growth: Moderate growth rate. Reaches a mature size of approximately 48 to 60 cm (19 to 24 inches) in height and a spread of 75 to 100 cm (30 to 40 inches).
• Humidity: Prefers consistently moist soil. Good humidity is essential, especially during hot and dry periods.
• Soil: Requires rich, well-drained, and consistently moist soil. Adding organic matter improves soil structure.
• Temperature: Very cold hardy. Tolerates winter cold very well.
• Watering: Moderate to frequent watering. Keep the soil moist, especially during dry periods. Hostas do not like to dry out.
• Resistances: Generally robust. May be susceptible to slugs and snails (though its thick leaves offer some resistance).

Usage

• Types of Use: Excellent as a specimen plant in shaded beds, as a border, in mass plantings under trees or in woodland areas. Very suitable for container growing to brighten shaded patios and balconies.
• Decorative Benefits: Its unique foliage and impressive size make it a spectacular focal point in shade gardens. The vibrant colour combination brightens dark areas, and its corrugated texture adds depth and visual interest.

Maintenance

• Fertilization: An annual application of compost or a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring is sufficient to promote healthy growth.
• Pruning: Remove spent flower scapes if the goal is to maximize the plant's energy for foliage. Remove yellowed or damaged foliage as it appears. Cut back all foliage to the base in the fall after the first frosts.
• Planting:
  • Spacing: Approximately 75 to 100 cm (30 to 40 inches) apart to allow for optimal clump development.
  • Depth: Plant at the same depth as it was in its container.
  • Period: Spring or early fall are the best times for planting.