Shadowland® 'Above the Clouds' Hosta
Perennial
- Blue foliage looks refreshing in shade gardens!
- Easy to grow introduction from Proven Winners.
- Soft lavender flowers bloom in summer.
- Zones 3-9, part sun to shade, 25" tall and 60" wide at maturity
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Do we need to describe hostas? Their reputation proceeds them. They look regal in shade gardens with broad foliage that chokes out weeds, fills spaces, and creates a lush appearance. The hostas in the Shadowland® collection from Proven Winners are vigorous growers and are more resistant to garden pests like slugs. They're easy to grow, even in city environments, making them the perfect perennial for gardeners of any level.
Details
Patent #: PP34341
Common name: Hosta, Funkia, Plantain lily
Zone: 3-9
Sun exposure: Shade (<4 hours sun), Part-sun (4-6 hours sun)
Height x width: 25" x 54-60"
Flower color: Light purple
Foliage color: Blue
Season of Interest: Summer
Bloom time: Midsummer
Features: Rain gardens, Proven Winners, heat tolerant, container plants, cold tolerant, best for beginners
Uses: Accent, border, container gardening, foundation planting, massing, specimen, woodland
How to Grow
Light: Part-sun to full shade. Best in part shade (some morning sun, or sun dappled conditions).
Water: Average. Established plants have some tolerance for dry shade (particularly plants with thick leaves), but soils should never be allowed to dry out. Water is best applied directly to the soil beneath the leaves.
Spacing: 30 - 32"
Fertilizing: Light application of time release fertilizer, or side-dress with compost and organic amendments when new growth appears in early spring.
Winterizing: Foliage should be cut back to the ground in the fall. A 2" layer of mulch after the ground freezes will help prevent heaving, and protect the shallow crowns.
Maintenance & Pruning: Hostas with thick leaves like this one are typically less appealing to slugs than other types. However, if slugs are particularly active in your garden, use slug bait, dishes of beer, or diatomaceous earth to discourage them. Groom plants by removing yellow or dead leaves and cut flower spikes back as they finish blooming in summer.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.
