The Big Daddy hosta stands out for its large size and its cupped and deeply corrugated blue-green leaves. Geometric crinkles between the leaf veins make the foliage resemble an intricate quilt, with a texture that resists slug damage. While Big Daddy's chalky blue coating gradually gives way to bright green, its stunning texture remains throughout the growing season.

Scientific Name: Hosta 'Big Daddy'

Common Name: Big Daddy Hosta

Garden Size: 24 inches tall by 36-66 inches wide; scape height 24 inches

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: Extra large, cupped, and deeply corrugated leaves with a blue-green glaucous coating that gradually gives way to green in summer heat. The crinkled foliage is very thick and sturdy, making it resistant to slugs.

Flowers: Near white, bell-shaped flowers that grow on scapes just above the foliage. Blooms early to 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: I-2 (Giant Leaved, Blue)

Parentage: Unclear - listed by some sources as a sport of a variegated form of H. 'Elegans' and others as a hybrid of H. sieboldiana x H. 'Tokudama'