This hosta's beautiful, heart-shaped leaves have wide yellow margins and a burst of blue-green at their centers. Tetraploid genetics give 'Ben Vernooij' thick, sturdy foliage that is reputed to hold up until the first frost in autumn.

Scientific Name: Hosta 'Ben Vernooij' PP 24009

Common Name: Ben Vernooij Hosta

Garden Size: 16 inches by 28 inches wide

Growth Rate: Most hostas have a moderate to fast growth rate.

USDA Zone: 3-9

Exposure: Partial to full shade

Water & Soil: Moist, well-drained soil

Habit (Form): Mounding

Foliage: Sturdy, heart-shaped leaves with blue-green centers and wide, yellow-green to creamy yellow margins. The transition between colors has a feathered or tufted appearance. Foliage holds its color and shape until frost.

Flowers: Pale lavender, tube-shaped flowers that grow on scapes above the foliage. Blooms mid summer.

Plant Origin: East Asia, primarily Japan and Korea. Most commercially available hostas are hybrids.

Wildlife Support: Hummingbirds and some bees enjoy the flowers. A favorite treat for our local deer.

Fertilizing: Apply compost in early spring before new growth emerges.

Pruning: Remove spent flower stalks to encourage new growth; trim back damaged or yellowing leaves as needed. Leave the leaves over the winter and wait until early spring to clean up.

ASPCA Toxicity flags (see their site for details): Toxic to dogs, cats, and horses

Uses: Ideal for shade gardens, woodland borders, and container plantings.

AHS Classification: Not registered

Parentage: Tetraploid sport of H. 'First Frost'