Hosta 'First Blush'
Best shade-loving perennial for gardeners seeking vibrant, low-maintenance seasonal color.
Discover the enchanting Hosta 'First Blush', a perennial offering unique red-leafed foliage with captivating rosy blush accents. This medium-sized plant boasts broad, heart-shaped leaves that emerge with green centers and delicate red margins, developing a blush between the veins that lasts until late summer. Midsummer brings beautiful purple-pink flowers, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. Its compact, mounding habit and rapid growth make it ideal for mass plantings, specimen use, or containers. Thriving in dappled to full shade, it prefers rich, moist, well-draining soil, providing three seasons of visual interest.
$23.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
1787
/ 3268
#1787 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-13%
Below average
Genus
Hosta
/ Hosta
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking visual interest throughout the spring season
- Landscapers needing plants for partially sunny garden beds
- Busy homeowners wanting low-maintenance, reliable perennial greenery
Who should skip it
- Perfectionists expecting consistent color throughout the entire summer
- Gardeners unwilling to manage slug and snail populations
- Residents living in areas with high deer or rabbit activity
Performance breakdown
Foliage Visual Impact
Rare red-blushed leaves provide a striking departure from standard green hostas.
Growth Rate
Rapid establishment makes this an excellent choice for quick garden coverage.
Maintenance Ease
A low-effort perennial that thrives with minimal intervention once established.
Pollinator Appeal
Purple-pink blooms effectively draw butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden.
Versatility
Compact habit works perfectly in containers, borders, or mass landscape plantings.
Hardiness Range
Exceptional cold tolerance allows for successful cultivation across most climate zones.
Key Specs
Genus
Hosta
Variety
'First Blush'
Item Form
Bareroot
Light Requirements
Part Shade, Shade
Moisture Requirements
Moist, well-drained
Mature Height
14 inches
Mature Spread
2.33 feet
Growth Habit
Clumping
Features
- Unique red-leafed foliage with rosy blush
- Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds
- Suitable for floral arrangements
- Compact, symmetrical mounding habit
- Low-maintenance perennial
- Three seasons of visual interest
- Rapid growth rate
- Easy care
What customers say
Customers consistently celebrate the exceptional quality and unique design of the Hosta 'First Blush'. Reviewers frequently note the plant's striking coloration, particularly the vibrant red petioles, which deliver a distinctive aesthetic pop to shaded gardens. While some mention the initial size is modest, the overwhelming consensus is that the plants arrive healthy and establish quickly, demonstrating strong vigor and reliable growth year after year. This variety is highly valued for its visual impact and robust performance, making it a standout choice for collectors seeking something beyond the standard green hosta.
Know before you buy
The unique red margins and blushing between the veins emerge in the spring and typically persist until late summer, providing extended visual interest throughout the growing season.
No, this plant is not considered pet-safe. It is best to place it in areas where cats or dogs are unlikely to chew on the foliage.
This variety performs best in dappled or full shade. While it can handle some light, avoid harsh, direct afternoon sun, which can scorch the delicate leaves.
Since this Hosta reaches a mature spread of about 2.33 feet, you should space them approximately 24 to 28 inches apart to allow for proper air circulation and growth.
It is considered a low-maintenance, easy-care perennial. Simply ensure the soil remains consistently moist and well-drained, and clear away dead foliage in late autumn or early spring.
Yes, its compact, mounding habit makes it an excellent choice for containers. Ensure the pot has adequate drainage holes and use a high-quality, moisture-retentive potting mix.
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$24