Hosta Shadowland® Giant 'Empress Wu'
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Hosta Shadowland® Giant 'Empress Wu': The Biggest Leaves in Any Shade Bed
Massive, deep-veined dark green leaves that make every other hosta look like it's still shopping in the kids' section. This giant doesn't share the spotlight. IT BUYS THE THEATRE.
Plant Characteristics:
- Botanical Name: Hosta hybrid
- Common Name: Plantain Lily, Hosta
- Series: Shadowland®, a Proven Winners® perennial
- Height: 91–120 cm (3–4 ft) foliage, with flower stems to about 120 cm (4 ft)
- Spread: 150–180 cm (5–6 ft)
- Flowers: Pale lavender
- Bloom Time: Early to midsummer (June to July)
- Foliage: Huge, thick, dark green leaves with deep veins, forming a large upright mound
Where to Plant: Use it where you need serious presence: the back of a large woodland bed, a focal point under tall trees, or a living screen along a shaded fence. It gives shrub-sized structure in spots too shady for much else to thrive.
Companion Plants: Plant giant 'Empress Wu' in a moist, shady bed with coral lungwort, lime heuchera and spotted toad lilies. Pulmonaria 'Shrimps on the Barbie' opens coral-pink flowers at 20 to 25 cm in April and May. Heuchera 'Twist of Lime' adds ruffled lime foliage at 25 to 30 cm. Tricyrtis hirta brings spotted toad lily flowers at 60 to 90 cm in August and September. Carex 'Evergold' edges the bed with arching cream-striped blades at 30 to 45 cm.
Plant Care: Plant it in moist, rich, well-drained soil with plenty of compost, and space it 150–180 cm (5–6 ft) from its neighbours. Keep it out of hot afternoon sun. Big hostas need steady water to size up. Water deeply in dry spells, especially in its first few seasons. Giant hostas often take three or more years to reach full size, so don't judge it in year one. Deer and rabbits like hostas, so protect it where they visit. Cut off the flower stems after blooming and remove the leaves after a hard frost. It rarely needs dividing; let it settle in and grow.
History: Virginia and Brian Skaggs of Indiana bred 'Empress Wu' from a self-pollinated seedling of Hosta 'Big John' and registered it in 2008, and hosta expert Mark Zilis wrote that it has the largest leaves of any hosta. Proven Winners introduced it as part of its Shadowland® collection.
Final Thoughts: Low maintenance and enormous. One plant fills a corner like a piece of furniture. MEASURE TWICE, PLANT ONCE.