Hosta 'Pilgrim'

Hosta 'Pilgrim': Soft Contrast in a Gentle Form

Graceful and understated, Hosta 'Pilgrim' offers a refined blend of cool grey-green centres and broad, creamy-yellow to white margins. The slightly heart-shaped leaves are smooth and neatly edged, forming a compact, rounded clump that brings gentle light to shaded spaces. Lavender flowers appear in midsummer, arching softly above the foliage.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 25–30 cm
• Spread: 50–60 cm, forming a tidy, low mound
• Flower Colour: Lavender
• Flowering Period: Midsummer
• Foliage: Grey-green centres with wide, creamy-yellow to white margins; smooth and heart-shaped
• Sunlight Requirements: Partial to full shade
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, fertile soil

Uses and Benefits: Hosta 'Pilgrim' is perfect for edging shaded beds, softening path borders, or adding gentle contrast to mixed hosta groupings. Its modest size and tidy habit make it especially useful in small gardens or containers. The cool-toned variegation lightens up darker plantings and remains attractive from spring through fall.

Companion Plants: Pair Hosta 'Pilgrim' with Tiarella 'Cutting Edge', whose delicate foliage adds texture and gentle contrast. Add Athyrium 'Regal Red' for a splash of colour and graceful fronds. Complete the composition with Carex 'Ice Dance', a softly arching grass whose variegation mirrors the hosta’s subtle palette.

Care Instructions: Grow in partial to full shade in moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil. Water regularly to support healthy growth. Clean up old foliage in spring, and divide every 3–4 years to refresh form and vigour.

History: Hosta 'Pilgrim' is a sport of 'Sharmon', valued for its stable variegation and compact habit. It has become a dependable choice for subtle beauty and ease of use in layered shade plantings.

Final Thoughts: With its soft tones and tidy form, Hosta 'Pilgrim' brings quiet charm to shaded gardens—an elegant companion that glows without demanding the spotlight.