Hosta Shadowland® Giant 'Empress Wu'

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
• Plant Patent: USPP 20,774

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: Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum' arches to 45 to 60 cm with white flowers in May and June, a graceful partner beside the huge leaves. Heuchera 'Timeless Treasure' flowers pink from June into September at 25 to 30 cm, keeping the front busy. Mertensia virginica brings blue flowers in April and May, before the hosta is fully up. Give them all shade to partial sun.

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.