This regal giant seriously dwarfs standard-sized hostas, spreading an impressive 5 to 9 feet across at maturity. The lush, dark green leaves are shaped like enormous hearts, and pale lavender flowers on arching stems peek out from the foliage mid summer.

Scientific Name: Hosta 'Empress Wu' PP 20774

Common Name: Empress Wu Hosta, Shadowland Empress Wu

Garden Size: 36-50 inches tall by 60-108 inches wide; scape height 48-60 inches

Growth Rate: Fast

USDA Zone: 3-9

Exposure: Partial to full shade

Water & Soil: Moist, well-drained soil

Habit (Form): Mounding

Foliage: An enormous mound of giant, dark green, heart-shaped leaves. Younger plants have a more upright shape, while in more mature plants the central leaves push the outer leaves to brush the ground, rounding out the shape to a dome.

Flowers: Pale lavender, tube-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-1 (Giant Leaved, Green)

Parentage: Hybrid of H. ‘Big John’

Notes: Part of the Shadowland collection of hostas from Proven Winners.

Originator of many sports and progeny.