Hosta 'Blue Angel'

Hosta 'Blue Angel': The Gentle Giant of the Shade

Elegant and expansive, Hosta 'Blue Angel' is one of the largest and most graceful blue hostas, forming a majestic clump of powdery blue foliage that softens even the darkest garden corners. Its broad, heart-shaped leaves cascade gently outward, creating a serene, fountain-like form. Tall scapes of near-white flowers rise above the foliage in midsummer, adding a light, airy note to this quietly commanding plant.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 75–90 cm (up to 120 cm in bloom)
• Spread: 150–180 cm, forming a dramatic, arching mound
• Flower Colour: Near-white to pale lavender
• Flowering Period: Midsummer
• Foliage: Powdery blue, broad, heart-shaped leaves with a softly rippled edge
• Sunlight Requirements: Part shade to full shade; best colour in dappled light
• Soil Requirements: Moist, rich, well-drained soil; benefits from regular watering and mulch

Uses and Benefits: Hosta 'Blue Angel' is ideal as a shade garden anchor or as a backdrop for smaller perennials. Its sheer size and calming colour lend structure and continuity to woodland designs and large borders. It pairs beautifully with contrasting foliage textures and colours, and its mature form is especially effective in softening hard edges or enclosing quiet garden paths. Slug-resistant and long-lived, it provides four-season presence with little effort.

Companion Plants: Surround Hosta 'Blue Angel' with the coppery fronds of Dryopteris 'Eastern Wood Fern' for rich contrast and woodland texture. Introduce Pulmonaria 'Raspberry Splash', whose spotted leaves and pink-blue blooms echo the hosta’s cool tones and add early-season interest. To complete the picture, weave in Carex 'Gold Fountains', whose fine, golden blades bring brightness and motion to the shade.

Care Instructions: Plant in part to full shade with moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil. Water regularly, especially during dry periods. Mulch to conserve moisture and cool the roots. Remove flower stalks after bloom for tidiness. Divide every 4–6 years in spring or fall if needed, though 'Blue Angel' is best left undisturbed to reach its full grandeur.

History: Hosta 'Blue Angel' is a seedling of Hosta sieboldiana, bred and introduced in the early 1980s. It remains a top choice among large hostas for its reliable powdery blue foliage, gentle growth habit, and excellent resistance to slugs and disease.

Final Thoughts: Serene and statuesque, Hosta 'Blue Angel' brings grace, grandeur, and a sense of calm to the shaded garden. A true classic, it grows more beautiful with time, rewarding the patient gardener with unmatched presence and poise.