Hosta 'Dancing Queen'

Hosta 'Dancing Queen': A Golden Performance in the Shade

Glowing with golden brilliance, Hosta 'Dancing Queen' unfurls in spring with radiant yellow foliage that keeps its colour long into the season. Each leaf emerges with a ruffled edge and graceful veining, forming a full, upright mound that moves with energy and elegance. Lavender flowers rise above the foliage in midsummer, but the real show is in the foliage’s enduring vibrancy and motion.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 45–55 cm
• Spread: 90–100 cm, forming a wide, upright mound
• Flower Colour: Lavender
• Flowering Period: Midsummer
• Foliage: Bright yellow, ruffled leaves with deep veining and good substance
• Sunlight Requirements: Partial to full shade; benefits from morning sun for best colour
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, organically rich soil

Uses and Benefits: Hosta 'Dancing Queen' brightens the shade garden with its warm golden tones and lively form. Ideal for massing along shaded borders or planting as a bold specimen in dappled light, its colour remains vivid even in deeper shade. Its upright habit allows it to layer beautifully with finer-textured or darker-toned companions, while its summer blooms provide subtle vertical interest and attract pollinators.

Companion Plants: Pair Hosta 'Dancing Queen' with Dryopteris 'Brilliance', whose coppery young fronds and rich green foliage bring seasonal contrast and structure. Add Astilbe 'Visions in Pink' for soft, fluffy plumes and light-catching colour. Finish with Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola', whose golden arching blades mirror the hosta’s hue and introduce graceful texture and movement.

Care Instructions: Plant in partial to full shade with rich, consistently moist soil. Morning sun enhances leaf colour, but too much exposure may cause scorch. Water during dry spells and mulch to retain moisture. Clean up old foliage in spring and divide every 3–5 years to refresh and maintain shape.

History: Hosta 'Dancing Queen' was introduced by Walters Gardens and quickly gained acclaim for its luminous spring colour, strong form, and extended performance into summer. One of the few hostas to emerge gold and stay gold, it continues to dazzle in shady gardens across North America.

Final Thoughts: Joyful and luminous, Hosta 'Dancing Queen' pirouettes through the shade garden with lasting elegance. A radiant choice for gardeners seeking bold foliage and uplifting colour in quiet corners.