Hosta 'Fire Island'

Hosta 'Fire Island': Bold Colour in the Cool of Shade

Striking and full of personality, Hosta 'Fire Island' lights up the shade with brilliant yellow foliage held on vivid red petioles. As the season progresses, the leaves mature to soft chartreuse, while the vibrant stems keep glowing from beneath. Compact and eye-catching, this hosta is a jewel for shaded borders, woodland paths, or containers where its fiery charm can shine.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 25–30 cm
• Spread: 45–60 cm, forming a low, arching clump
• Flower Colour: Pale lavender
• Flowering Period: Mid to late summer
• Foliage: Smooth, narrow leaves in bright yellow maturing to chartreuse; red petioles offer vivid contrast
• Sunlight Requirements: Partial shade; morning sun enhances colour
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil

Uses and Benefits: Hosta 'Fire Island' is perfect for brightening the front of shade borders, edging woodland beds, or adding vibrant foliage to containers. Its intense spring colour draws the eye, while its changing tones create evolving interest throughout the season. Slug-resistant and compact, it's an excellent choice for small gardens and collectors seeking a hosta with unique form and energy.

Companion Plants: Pair Hosta 'Fire Island' with Athyrium 'Regal Red', whose dark red stems and silvery fronds echo the hosta’s vivid petioles while adding fine texture. Add Heucherella 'Eye Spy' for its warm-toned foliage and delicate spring blooms that soften the composition. Finish with Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola', a golden ornamental grass that enhances the hosta’s brightness and introduces graceful motion.

Care Instructions: Grow in partial shade with some morning sun to bring out the best leaf colour. Plant in moist, fertile soil with good drainage and mulch to conserve moisture. Water during extended dry periods and clean up spent foliage in early spring. Divide every 3–4 years to maintain vigour and shape.

History: Hosta 'Fire Island' was bred by Bob Solberg and introduced by Green Hill Farm in 1998. It quickly gained popularity for its electric spring foliage and showy red stems—traits that set it apart from more traditional hostas and earned it recognition among collectors.

Final Thoughts: Lively and luminous, Hosta 'Fire Island' brings a flash of warmth to the shade. A small hosta with a bold personality, it offers unforgettable colour and structure in a compact, easy-care form.