Hosta 'First Frost'
Best low-maintenance perennial for gardeners seeking vibrant, season-long shade foliage.
Discover the award-winning Hosta 'First Frost', a perennial marvel celebrated for its striking variegated foliage that lasts until the first frost. This hybrid features broad, heart-shaped leaves with a blue-green center and a captivating gold margin that matures to pure white. Delicate light lavender flowers bloom in midsummer, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. Ideal for beds, borders, or containers, it thrives in shade to part shade and requires minimal care, making it an easy-care addition to any garden.
$24.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
29
/ 2989
#29 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-10%
Below average
Genus
Hosta
/ Hosta
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking high-contrast foliage for shaded landscape areas
- Homeowners tired of battling garden pests like slugs and snails
- Landscapers wanting reliable, long-lasting seasonal color
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious buyers seeking affordable starter perennials
- Impatient gardeners looking for immediate, full-sized landscape impact
- Sun-loving gardeners without adequate shaded planting spots
Performance breakdown
Foliage Longevity
Variegated leaves maintain their striking color contrast well into late autumn.
Maintenance Effort
Requires minimal intervention to thrive in most shaded garden environments.
Pollinator Appeal
Lavender blooms effectively draw butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden.
Hardiness Versatility
Robust performance across a wide range of USDA climate zones.
Growth Habit
Forms a clean, symmetrical mound that fills garden spaces beautifully.
Design Flexibility
Adapts seamlessly to containers, borders, or mass landscape plantings.
Key Specs
Genus
Hosta
Variety
'First Frost'
Hardiness Zones
3 - 9
Mature Height
16 inches
Mature Width
3 Feet
Light Requirements
Part Shade, Shade
Soil pH
5.5 - 7.5
Bloom Color
Light Lavender
Features
- Award-winning variegated foliage provides season-long interest.
- Leaves transition from gold-edged to pure white.
- Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds with light lavender blooms.
- Low-maintenance plant perfect for shade gardens.
- Forms a symmetrical, mounding habit.
- Versatile for borders, containers, and mass planting.
- Blooms appear on long scapes, suitable for cut arrangements.
What customers say
The sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, centered on the plant's striking design and reliable quality. Gardeners are thrilled with the robust size and health of the shipments received. The vibrant blue foliage and distinct creamy white edges are frequently mentioned as exceeding expectations, providing significant aesthetic impact in shade gardens. This hosta is celebrated for its reliable vigor and ease of establishment, confirming its status as a premium, high value perennial.
Know before you buy
The 'First Frost' Hosta emerges with a distinct gold margin surrounding its blue-green center. As the season progresses, these margins gradually transition to a crisp, creamy white, providing visual interest until the first frost.
Yes, its symmetrical, mounding habit makes it an excellent candidate for containers. Ensure your pot has adequate drainage and is placed in a spot that receives shade or part shade.
This variety thrives in shade to part shade conditions. Avoid planting it in direct, intense afternoon sun, as this can scorch the leaves and cause the vibrant variegation to fade.
Since this Hosta reaches a mature width of 3 feet, you should space them at least 3 feet apart if planting in a border or mass grouping to allow for proper air circulation and growth.
No, Hosta 'First Frost' is not considered pet-safe. It is toxic to dogs and cats if ingested, so it is best to place it in an area of the garden that your pets cannot access.
It is considered an easy-care perennial. Aside from moderate watering and basic cleanup of dead foliage in the late autumn, it requires very little intervention to stay healthy.
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$25