Hosta 'Wind Beneath My Wings'

Hosta 'Wind Beneath My Wings': Ruffled Blue Giant That Smothers Weeds

Long, arching powder-blue leaves with rippled edges, sweeping out like it's about to belt a power ballad at karaoke. 'Wind Beneath My Wings' HITS EVERY HIGH NOTE.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Hosta 'Wind Beneath My Wings'
• Common Name: Plantain Lily, Hosta
• Height: 75 cm (30 in), with flower scapes to about 105 cm (3.5 ft)
• Spread: 200 cm (6.5 ft) at maturity
• Flowers: Pale lavender with white edges, on arching blue scapes
• Bloom Time: Midsummer (July)
• Foliage: Powder blue, long, arching, heart-shaped leaves up to about 35 cm (14 in) long, with deep veins and heavily rippled margins

Where to Plant: This is a specimen plant, so give it a spot of its own under a high tree canopy, at a bend in a woodland path, or as the anchor at the back of a big shade bed. One plant fills a lot of ground and doubles as a weed-smothering groundcover, but protect it if deer and rabbits are regulars.

Companion Plants: Use big 'Wind Beneath My Wings' in a moist, shady bed with white epimedium, wild ginger and gold-leaved astilbe. Epimedium 'Niveum' opens small white flowers at 20 to 30 cm in April and May. Asarum europaeum carpets the front at 10 to 15 cm with glossy round leaves. Astilbe 'Spotlight' brings soft pink plumes over gold leaves at 50 to 55 cm in July and August. Hakonechloa 'Aureola' edges the bed at 30 to 46 cm with gold-striped blades.

Plant Care: Plant in spring or early fall in deep, moist, humus-rich soil that drains well. Leave plenty of room: space it about 2 metres from its neighbours. Clay soils benefit from a generous helping of compost. Water deeply through the first summer and during dry spells after that. Big leaves lose a lot of water. The blue colour is a waxy coating, so morning sun with afternoon shade keeps it bluest. Like most giant hostas, it takes a few years to reach full size and show its best ruffles. Cut back the foliage after frost or in spring. Division is rarely needed. Do it in early spring if you want to share a piece.

History: Hans Hansen bred 'Wind Beneath My Wings' at Walters Gardens in Michigan from a cross of two big blue hostas, 'Neptune' and 'Queen of the Seas', and it was registered with the American Hosta Society in 2019. Its ruffled edges come from both sides of the family.

Final Thoughts: Big, graceful and low maintenance. Plant it in the shade and let it take the spotlight. LIGHTERS IN THE AIR, EVERYBODY.