Hosta 'Krossa Regal'

Hosta 'Krossa Regal': Frosty Blue Standing at Attention

Powdery blue-green leaves held up in a tall vase shape, like a guest who only sits on the good chairs. 'Krossa Regal' stands upright, chin up, ABOVE IT ALL. Literally.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Hosta 'Krossa Regal'
• Common Name: Plantain Lily, Hosta
• Height: 90–95 cm (35–37 in)
• Spread: 90–150 cm (35–59 in)
• Flowers: Lavender bells on very tall scapes that can reach well above the leaves
• Bloom Time: Mid to late summer (July to August)
• Foliage: Powdery blue-green, slightly wavy leaves in an upright, vase-shaped clump
• Features: Good slug resistance

Where to Plant: Its upright shape gives height to a shade border without the bulk, so use it as a specimen, in a large container, or behind lower plantings so its vase form shows. The waxy blue coating holds best in shade and fades a little in strong sun.

Companion Plants: Ligularia 'Pandora' stays at 30 to 40 cm in front of this tall, vase-shaped hosta and adds yellow flowers from July to September. Heucherella 'Copper King' brings warm, coppery foliage at 25 to 30 cm, a strong colour contrast to the hosta's cool leaves. Tricyrtis 'Autumn Glow' flowers purple in August and September, carrying the bed past the hosta's lavender blooms. Together they make a well-layered shade bed that stays fresh into fall.

Plant Care: Plant in part sun to full shade, in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Work in compost at planting. Water well in its first season and during dry spells. Avoid overhead watering when you can, since it rinses off some of the blue bloom. Cut the flower stems after bloom and clear the leaves after a hard frost. Divide in spring or early fall if the clump outgrows its spot. Deer and rabbits do eat hostas, so protect it where they roam.

History: 'Krossa Regal' was registered in 1980 by G. and A. Krossa and is listed as a hybrid of Hosta nigrescens, a Japanese species known for upright, grey-blue foliage. It has been a fixture in American Hosta Society popularity polls for years and is still one of the most recognizable vase-shaped hostas in gardens.

Final Thoughts: Perfect for a spot where you need height in the shade. The slugs keep their distance, as is proper. PLEASE BOW ON YOUR WAY OUT.