Hosta 'Dancing Queen'

Hosta 'Dancing Queen': The Brightest Ruffles Under the Trees

Big gold leaves with rippled piecrust edges, twirling around the shade garden like it heard its song come on at the wedding. 'Dancing Queen' does not leave the dance floor. NOT EVEN FOR CAKE.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Hosta 'Dancing Queen'
• Common Name: Plantain Lily, Hosta
• Height: 45 cm (18 in) foliage, with flower stems to about 70 cm (28 in)
• Spread: 75 cm (30 in)
• Flowers: Pale lavender
• Bloom Time: Midsummer (July to August)
• Foliage: Large yellow to gold leaves with heavily rippled piecrust edges, softening to pale creamy yellow late in the season
• Features: Hosta of the Year 2020

Where to Plant: Use it to light up a dark spot under trees, along the north side of the house or at the end of a shady path where you want the eye to land. One plant brightens a corner, and three in a row glow like a gold ribbon.

Companion Plants: Epimedium 'Lilafee' opens violet flowers in April and May at 25 to 30 cm, low in front of the hosta. Astilboides tabularis adds huge leaves and cream flowers in June and July at 90 to 125 cm. Eurybia divaricata brings white flowers from August into October at 30 to 75 cm. Shade to partial sun suits the whole group.

Plant Care: Plant it in moist, rich, well-drained soil with compost worked in. A little morning sun brings out the brightest gold, but hot afternoon sun can scorch yellow leaves, so give it shade after lunch. Water deeply during dry spells, especially in its first season. Deer and rabbits enjoy hostas as much as you do, so use a repellent or fencing if they visit. Slugs may nibble; a barrier or bait helps. Cut off the flower stems once they finish and remove the foliage after a hard frost. Divide it in spring as the shoots poke up if you want more plants or the clump gets crowded.

History: Hosta grower Kent Terpening introduced 'Dancing Queen' from a seedling of Hosta 'Split Personality' and registered it in 2005. The American Hosta Growers Association named it Hosta of the Year in 2020.

Final Thoughts: A little morning sun keeps the gold glowing. Plant it where the other hostas can watch and learn. IT'S NOT GIVING BACK THE SPOTLIGHT.