| Growth Rate |
- Speed: Moderate, depending on soil conditions and moisture availability.
- Mature Size: Typically reaches 10 to 15 inches tall and spreads about 18 to 24 inches wide.
|
|---|
| Colorful Leaves |
Yes
|
|---|
| Flowering |
Yes
|
|---|
| Bloom Color |
Purple & Lavender
|
|---|
| Ornamental Berries |
N/A |
|---|
| Disease resistant |
Yes
|
|---|
| Cold Tolerant |
Yes
|
|---|
| Heat Tolerant |
No
|
|---|
| Drought Tolerant |
No
|
|---|
| Deer Resistant |
No
|
|---|
| Edible |
No
|
|---|
| Wildlife Attraction |
- Pollinators: Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
- Wildlife: Deer-resistant, though rabbits may occasionally nibble on young shoots.
|
|---|
| Self-pollinating |
Self-pollinating
|
|---|
| Seasonality |
- Season: Spring through Fall
- Flowering Season: Mid-summer to early fall
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
|
|---|
| Ideal For |
Shade gardens
– Border edges
– Woodland plantings
– Accent in containers |
|---|
| Leaf Description |
- Color: Deep green leaves with reddish-burgundy stems.
- Shape: Broad, heart-shaped leaves with wavy margins.
- Texture: Smooth and slightly glossy, with veins providing a subtle contrast.
- Size: Leaves can grow 6-8 inches long, adding a lush and full appearance.
|
|---|
| Flower Description |
- Color: Pale lavender to white, bell-shaped flowers
- Bloom Time: Blooms typically emerge in midsummer, adding vertical interest and a delicate touch to the plant’s bold foliage.
- Height of Flowers: The flower spikes rise above the foliage, typically reaching 12 to 18 inches.
|
|---|
| Pruning & Maintenance |
- Pruning Needs: Remove yellowing or damaged leaves as needed throughout the growing season to keep the plant looking fresh. Deadhead spent flowers to prevent energy from being used on seed production.
- Winter Care: Mulch in colder climates to protect roots from frost. Leaves will die back naturally with the first frost, and foliage can be cut back once it dies down.
|
|---|
| Water Needs |
- Watering Frequency: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially in the first growing season to establish a strong root system.
- Drought Tolerance: While Hosta hybrids are somewhat drought-tolerant, they perform best with regular watering, especially during dry spells.
|
|---|
| Light Needs |
- Preferred Light: Partial to full shade.
- Tolerates: Some morning sun but prefers to avoid the harsh afternoon sun, which can scorch the leaves.
|
|---|
| Harvesting |
– Hosta ‘Red Cadet’ is not typically harvested as an edible or cut flower plant
– Gardeners may collect dry seed pods in fall for propagation
– For ornamental use, foliage can be trimmed as needed for tidy appearance, or removed after the first frost |
|---|
| Fertilizing |
Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Reapply midseason if needed, but do not over-fertilize as it can cause overly lush growth that is more prone to disease. |
|---|
| Additional Care Tips |
- Mulching: Apply 2-3 inches of mulch around the plant to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds.
- Dividing: Divide clumps every 3-5 years in early spring or fall to prevent overcrowding and promote vigorous growth.
- Pests: Generally pest-free, though slugs and snails can occasionally damage the foliage.
|
|---|
| Pollination |
Hosta hybrid 'Red Cadet' flowers are typically self-fertile, but they are also attractive to bees and other pollinators, which can enhance the chances of seed formation. |
|---|
| Companion Plants |
– Astilbe – adds feathery blooms and thrives in similar moist, shaded conditions
– Heuchera (Coral Bells) – offers colorful foliage and similar size contrast
– Ferns (e.g., Dryopteris, Athyrium) – pair well in woodland or shaded settings
– Brunnera macrophylla – heart-shaped leaves and spring blooms
– Pulmonaria – early-season flowers and speckled foliage complement hosta texture
– Tiarella – forms neat mounds with delicate flower spikes
– Tricyrtis – fall-blooming and moisture-loving, pairs well in understory beds |
|---|
