Hosta 'Blue Ivory'

Hosta 'Blue Ivory': Powder Blue Leaves With Wide Ivory Trim

Blue centres wrapped in wide creamy margins that fade to white, like a fancy dinner plate your grandmother won't let anyone use. 'Blue Ivory' is TOO GOOD FOR THE EVERYDAY CUPBOARD.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Hosta 'Blue Ivory'
• Common Name: Plantain Lily, Hosta
• Height: 30–40 cm (12–16 in)
• Spread: 60–75 cm (24–30 in)
• Flowers: Lavender, funnel-shaped, on scapes above the leaves
• Bloom Time: Midsummer (July to August)
• Foliage: Heart-shaped, blue centres with wide creamy margins that turn white in summer; centres darken to blue-green later in the season
• Features: Thick, slug-resistant leaves

Where to Plant: Its medium size suits the front or middle of a shade border, edging along a path, or a large container. Plant it in a group for a cool ribbon of blue and white. It tolerates black walnut, but deer and rabbits like it, so plan protection if they visit.

Companion Plants: Use 'Blue Ivory' in a moist, shady bed with bleeding hearts, silver brunnera and dark bugbane. Brunnera 'Jack of Diamonds' opens baby-blue flowers at 36 to 41 cm in April and May over silver leaves. Dicentra spectabilis adds rose-pink bleeding hearts at 60 to 90 cm in May and June. Cimicifuga 'Brunette' rises behind at 120 to 150 cm with dark leaves and fragrant spikes from August to October. Carex 'Gold Fountains' edges the front with gold-edged blades at 20 to 30 cm.

Plant Care: Plant in part sun to full shade, in moist, rich, well-drained soil. The blue holds best in shade or with only gentle morning sun. Water deeply during dry spells and mulch to keep the roots cool. Remove flower scapes after bloom if you want a neat look. Clear the leaves after a hard frost. Divide in spring as the shoots emerge.

History: 'Blue Ivory' was discovered in 2003 by William J. Meyer at a nursery in eastern Connecticut, as a natural sport of Hosta 'Halcyon'. It kept the heavy blue leaves of its parent and added a wide creamy margin.

Final Thoughts: Thick leaves the slugs can't be bothered with, and colour that pops in the shade. BRING OUT THE GOOD CHINA.