Growing Information

Growing zone guide
Growing Zone Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
Sunlight Partial shade to full shade
Type of Soil Slightly acidic to neutral
Mature Height 24 to 30 inches
Maintenance Level Low maintenance
Water Requirement Moderate watering (once a week)

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Additional Information
Growth Rate

– Moderate to fast

– Reaches mature size in 3–4 years

– Height: 30–34 inches

– Spread: 50–60 inches

Colorful Leaves Yes
Flowering Yes
Bloom Color Purple & Lavender, White
Ornamental Berries N/A
Disease resistant Yes
Cold Tolerant Yes
Heat Tolerant No
Drought Tolerant No
Deer Resistant No
Edible No
Wildlife Attraction

– Flowers attract bees and pollinators in midsummer

– Foliage may be browsed by deer and occasionally slugs

Self-pollinating Cross-pollinating
Seasonality

– Emerges in mid-spring

– Provides season-long foliage appeal until frost

– Flowers in midsummer

– Dormant in winter

Ideal For
  • – Specimen plant in shaded beds
    – Shade gardens
    – Mixed foliage arrangements
    – Cottage-style or formal gardens
Leaf Description

– Large, heart-shaped leaves

– Blue-green centers with wide, creamy-white to pale yellow margins

– Thick and slightly corrugated leaves, giving excellent texture

– Leaves grow larger and more colorful as the plant matures

Flower Description

– Pale lavender to near-white, bell-shaped flowers

– Appear on tall scapes 36–40 inches high in midsummer

– Provide soft contrast above foliage and attract pollinators

Pruning & Maintenance

– Remove damaged or yellowing leaves throughout the growing season

– Cut foliage back to the ground after the first frost in fall

– Deadhead flower stalks after blooming for a tidy appearance

Water Needs

– Requires consistently moist soil, especially during hot weather

– Water deeply once or twice per week in dry periods

– Mulch helps retain moisture and protect roots

Light Needs

– Best in partial shade; full shade also acceptable

– Tolerates some morning or filtered sun, especially in cooler regions

– Avoid full afternoon sun to prevent leaf scorch

Harvesting

– Occasionally used in floral design for foliage

– Divisions can be harvested in spring or fall to propagate or relocate

Fertilizing

– Apply balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring

– Reapply in midsummer if growth slows or soil is poor

– Compost or leaf mold mulch improves nutrition and soil structure over time

Additional Care Tips N/A
Pollination

– Pollinated by bees and other small insects

– May set seed after flowering, but rarely used for propagation

– Typically propagated by division to maintain true characteristics

Companion Plants

– Astilbe – adds fine-textured flowers and moisture-loving contrast

– Brunnera – cool blue tones echo the glaucous leaf centers

– Bleeding Heart (Dicentra) – complements hosta’s structure with graceful blooms

– Ferns – provide textural variation in shade plantings

– Tiarella – good low-growing companion for layering

Flowering and Seasonality

– Emerges in mid-spring

– Provides season-long foliage appeal until frost

– Flowers in midsummer

– Dormant in winter

– Pale lavender to near-white, bell-shaped flowers

– Appear on tall scapes 36–40 inches high in midsummer

– Provide soft contrast above foliage and attract pollinators

Pet Friendly

Yes

Growing Zone
  • Zone 3
  • Zone 4
  • Zone 5
  • Zone 6
  • Zone 7
  • Zone 8
  • Zone 9

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