Hosta hybrid 'Hadspen Blue'

– Flowers attract bees and other pollinators

– Foliage is susceptible to slugs and deer without protection

– Emerges in mid-spring

– Provides vibrant blue foliage from spring through fall

– Blooms mid to late summer

– Dormant in winter; foliage dies back completely after frost

– Blue-themed gardens
– Shady borders
– Contrast with yellow-leaved hostas
– Containers and woodland gardens

– Intensely blue, heart-shaped leaves with a powdery glaucous coating

– Thick, seersucker-textured surface enhances shade garden texture

– Foliage holds its blue color well in shaded conditions

– Leaves maintain a crisp, compact habit through the season

– Pale lavender to white bell-shaped flowers

– Appear in midsummer on slender, upright scapes (24–30 inches tall)

– Subtle and airy, providing seasonal contrast above the foliage

– Plant in spring or fall in a location sheltered from intense afternoon sun

– Choose soil that is moist, well-draining, and rich in organic matter

– Plant crown level with the soil surface and firm in gently

– Space plants 24–30 inches apart to allow for mature spread

– Mulch with compost or shredded bark to conserve moisture and protect roots

– Remove any damaged or yellowing leaves during the season

– Cut back entire clump to ground level after the first frost in fall

– Deadhead flower scapes after blooming unless collecting seed

– Requires consistently moist soil; do not allow to dry out

– Water deeply 1–2 times per week during dry spells

– Mulch to conserve soil moisture and prevent root stress

– Prefers partial to full shade

– Tolerates some morning sun, which may enhance blue leaf tones

– Avoid direct afternoon sun, which can fade the glaucous leaf coating

– Can be divided in spring or fall for propagation

– Flowers may be cut for small arrangements but are not the main feature

– Apply balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring

– Supplement with organic compost or leaf mold to enrich soil

– Avoid excess nitrogen which can diminish blue leaf color

– Pollinated by bees; flowers attract a range of pollinators

– May produce seed pods, though 'Hadspen Blue' is primarily propagated by division

– Not typically used for breeding due to its foliage-focused appeal

– Brunnera for similar leaf color and spring flowers

– Pulmonaria for speckled foliage and early blooms

– Astilbe for vertical texture and bright flower spikes

– Tiarella for low-growing, dense ground coverage

– Ferns for layered texture and natural woodland combinations