Take a stroll down the aisles of hostas and you can’t help but notice how incredibly diverse this genus is. In fact, unless you come in looking for a specific hosta to match some you already have, the process of selecting hostas to take home with you can be quite a challenge.

The most noticeable feature of hostas is the color and color pattern on their leaves. But even there you’ll find subtle differences that may not jump out at you, though they make a significant contribution to the plant. In fact, the more you look, the more interesting they become. Of course, there are green leaves and blue leaves. Blue can vary from rich to pale. Green can vary from chartreuse to lime to olive. Not only are there variegated hostas, there are varieties with the light variegation on the outside of the leaves and others with it on the inside. Some have gold variegations. Others are creamy-white, pale green or even yellow. On some, the variegation plays a minor role. With others, it demands your attention. Once you go beyond their colors, look at the shapes and sizes of leaves. Some have small, round leaves. Others are narrow, pointed and huge. Beyond colors, sizes and shapes, you also have the growing habit of the plant. Two varieties of hosta may have what appears to be the same leaf, but one grows low and broad and the other is very upright. Ultimate size, both height and width, also vary greatly. Heights range from a petite few inches to 3 feet or more. Widths vary that much too. Some are equally wide and tall but others aren’t. For example, ‘Maui Buttercups’ only grows 6 inches tall but each plant can cover a 12” wide space. Then there are the flowers! Purple, lavender, white, tall, short, and fragrant? Wow! No wonder hostas are one of the most popular perennials.

Don’t miss the Minnesota Hosta Society’s Hosta leaf show. Talk to Hosta lovers and ask them for their favorite Hosta. See what a mature Hosta looks like, than go out into the garden center and pick one up.