Go where no man has gone before with this intrepid hosta! Lush green leaves with chartreuse centers are corrugated and slightly cupped. Topped by lavender flowers in summer, 'Captain Kirk' will add out-of-this-world texture and interest to your garden bed.

Scientific Name: Hosta 'Captain Kirk'

Common Name: Captain Kirk Hosta

Garden Size: 18-20 inches tall by 36 inches wide; scape height 30 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: Broad, rounded leaves with pointed tips. Leaf centers are pale yellow to yellow-green with a dark green margin. The transition between colors has a feathered or tufted appearance.

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: III-6a (Medium Leaved; Green or Blue Margined; Yellow, White, or Chartreuse Center)

Parentage: Sport of H. 'Gold Standard'

Notes: 'Captain Kirk' is the originator of many Star Trek themed sports. It was developed by Kirk Brill of Des Moine, Iowa, who is both a Kirk and a Trekkie.