Hosta 'Elegans' Plantain Lily
Best low-maintenance perennial for shaded garden beds and borders.
Elevate your garden with the Hosta 'Elegans', a stunning perennial prized for its large, metallic blue-green, heart-shaped leaves that deepen to rich green. This variety offers exceptional texture and visual appeal for three seasons, complemented by mildly fragrant white flowers tinged with violet that bloom in early to midsummer, attracting pollinators. Ideal for part shade to full shade, it thrives in moist, well-drained soil and is a low-maintenance choice for ground cover, borders, or containers. Its cold hardiness and slug resistance make it a reliable addition to any landscape.
$17.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
29
/ 2989
#29 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-35%
Below average
SKU
29517
Who it's for
- Busy gardeners wanting low-maintenance, long-lasting perennial beauty
- Gardeners seeking a bold focal point for shady areas
- Homeowners tired of battling slugs and garden pests
Who should skip it
- Impatient gardeners wanting instant, full-sized landscape impact
- Urban gardeners with limited space or small containers
- Gardeners with sunny yards looking for permanent blue foliage
Performance breakdown
Foliage Impact
Large, metallic blue-green leaves provide exceptional architectural texture for the garden.
Maintenance Ease
A reliable, low-effort perennial that thrives with minimal ongoing care.
Pest Resilience
Natural resistance to slugs keeps the foliage looking pristine all season.
Shade Adaptability
Perfect for brightening up darker corners where other plants struggle.
Pollinator Appeal
Fragrant blooms successfully draw butterflies and hummingbirds into your landscape.
Climate Versatility
Robust hardiness across zones four through nine ensures reliable regional performance.
Key Specs
SKU
29517
Item Form
Bareroot
Foliage Color
Blue Green, Metallic Blue-Green
Bloom Color
Light Purple, White, Violet
Mature Height
3.33 Feet
Mature Spread
4 Feet
Light Requirements
Part Shade, Shade
USDA Hardiness Zones
Zone 4 to 9
Features
- Striking metallic blue-green foliage.
- Mildly fragrant white and violet flowers.
- Provides year-round foliage interest.
- Low maintenance and easy to grow.
- Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
- Resistant to slug damage.
- Awarded RHS Award of Garden Merit.
- Adds excellent texture to garden spaces.
What customers say
Customers are consistently impressed with the exceptional quality and immediate vigor of the Hosta 'Elegans'. Plants arrive robust, healthy, and notably larger than anticipated for mail order. This strong start ensures reliable establishment and rapid growth, quickly developing the signature stately blue green foliage. Reviewers express confidence in the plant's long term performance, making it a highly valued and satisfying addition to shade gardens. The overall sentiment highlights satisfaction with the plant's impressive size and guaranteed vitality.
Know before you buy
Since this variety reaches a mature spread of 4 feet, you should space them at least 4 feet apart to allow for proper air circulation and to accommodate their full size.
No, Hosta 'Elegans' prefers part shade to full shade. Direct, intense sunlight can scorch the leaves and cause the metallic blue-green color to fade.
Yes, 'Elegans' is known for its thicker, puckered foliage, which makes it significantly more resistant to slug and snail damage compared to thinner-leafed Hosta varieties.
Bareroot plants arrive without soil around the roots, usually in a dormant state. This is a standard, healthy way to ship perennials, as it allows the plant to establish itself quickly in your garden soil once planted.
As a hardy perennial in zones 4 through 9, 'Elegans' is very cold-tolerant. Simply cut back the dead foliage in late autumn or early winter after the first frost to keep your garden tidy.
Yes, it performs well in large containers, provided you use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix. Ensure the container is large enough to accommodate its mature size and keep the soil consistently moist.
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$18