6 Cool Overlooked Hostas

On a hot, summer day, why not garden in the shade? Following are six favorite hostas and why they deserve a spot in your garden. 

'Praying Hands' photo source: hvgardenjournal.com

Hosta 'Praying Hands'

Why it's worthy: unusual leaf shape, award-winning
How to use it:  along a path in the shade garden, in meditation garden, with religious statuary, planted with ferns


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'Adorable' photo source: forum. gardenweb.com

Hosta 'Adorable' 
Why it's worthy: compact color in the shade, fragrant white flowers
How to use it: plant with chartreuse foliage of 'City Lights' or 'Sum and Sumstance'  or Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa)

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'City Lights' photo source: greenmountainhosta.com

Hosta 'City Lights'
Why it's worthy: thick, corrugated leaves, 24"x36" 
How to use it:  give it a couple hours of morning sun for best coloring; pair with pink astilbe or purple heuchera (coral bells). 

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'Cool as a Cucumber' photo source: waysidegardens.com

Hosta 'Cool as a Cucumber' 
Why it's worthy: elegant, arching habit, 28" tall x 48" wide
How to use it:  pair with solid green hostas, dark green ground cover (Sweet woodruff pictured above.)

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'Empress Wu' photo source: empresswuhosta.com

Hosta 'Empress Wu'
Why it's worthy: Wow! Need we say more?
How to use it:  use as a specimen plant or back of the border- give it room! 4'tall x 6'wide.