Halcyon Hosta

Light Needs

Full Shade

(Less Than 2 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

1 Foot

Mature Spread

2 Feet

Growing Zones

3 to 8

Hostas are one of the most versatile shade loving plants for the garden. Halcyon Hosta is smaller in size, but is one of the most recognizable varieties. The gorgeous silvery blue-green leaves open up flat and have a thick texture that makes them more resistant to slug and snail damage. Halcyon is a variety of Hosta tardiana used to breed other cultivars since the 1970’s. The blue color is always the telltale trait that Halcyon passes on. Halcyon received the distinguished Merit Award from the American Hosta Society in 1987.

The dense, medium sized perennial is best when used at the front of a garden bed or in a container alone or as part of a mixed, seasonal planting. No other shade loving plant is easier than Hosta. Once they have been planted in the right spot you can just sit back and enjoy the seasonal show.

Halcyon Hosta Care

Halcyon Hosta likes to have a moist, shady spot in the garden. If the only shade you have is dry, consider growing Hosta in a container. This could also be a great way to add a bit of height and variation in a woodland garden scheme. Hostas grow well in just about any soil texture and pH level. Mulching these herbaceous perennials in the winter will help add nutrients to the soil and improve the moisture retention over time. An organic compost or leaves is the perfect mulch.

Seasonal maintenance is fast and easy. The whole plant will die back to the ground in the winter. Leaving the leaves to protect the crown over the winter means that only a quick raking up of the dead foliage in the spring is needed as the new leaves emerge. Dividing Hostas every 3-4 years will keep it growing vigorously and sending up flower scapes at the end of the summer.

Halcyon Hosta Spacing

Halcyon Hosta is a smaller and slower growing variety. The height at maturity is 15-18 inches with a width of 20-24 inches. Halcyon will benefit from a spacing of 20 inches to allow for proper air circulation around the plants. A smaller sized Hosta works well as an edging for a border or in multiples in a container.