Blue Cadet is a dense, circular mound of small, blue-green leaves. The cultivar spreads quickly, making it a nice choice for borders. Its folded spring leaves form an interesting ruffled mound, which unfurls into elegant heart shapes. The blue-green coloring lasts into summer before maturing to medium green. With beautiful color and a neat, regimented form, this little cadet has a promising career ahead of it.

Scientific Name: Hosta 'Blue Cadet'

Common Name: Blue Cadet Hosta

Garden Size: 12-20 inches tall by 15-30 inches wide; scape height 14-28 inches

Growth Rate: Fast

USDA Zone: 3-9

Exposure: Partial to full shade

Water & Soil: Moist, well-drained soil

Habit (Form): Mounding

Foliage: A dense, circular mound of small, blue-green leaves that turn medium green in summer heat. The leaves emerge folded, then open to heart shapes with symmetrical light green veins. Blue Cadet spreads rapidly for a hosta, making it a good choice for a border.

Flowers: Tube-shaped, lavender 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: V-2 (Miniature Leaved, Blue)

Parentage: Seedling of H. 'Tokudama'