Francee Hosta
Best low-maintenance perennial for brightening up shady garden corners.
Brighten any shady garden space with the mesmerizing 'Francee' Hosta. This outstanding perennial showcases 6-inch, heart-shaped leaves beautifully edged in bright white, forming dense, arching mounds of lush, variegated foliage. An easy grower, it thrives in shade to part shade locations requiring well-drained, moderately moist soil. In late summer, enjoy pale purple blooms atop 28-inch-tall scapes. This variety earned the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit and is excellent for mass planting or containers. It ships as a potted plant in the Fall and is toxic to pets if ingested.
$19.98
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
1695
/ 3083
#1695 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-28%
Below average
Hardiness Zones
39
/ -
Who it's for
- Gardeners looking to brighten up dim, shaded corners
- Homeowners living in regions with harsh winter climates
- Busy gardeners wanting low-maintenance, pest-resistant foliage
Who should skip it
- Gardeners with limited shade or full-sun planting sites
- Collectors concerned about long-term plant health and disease
- Landscapers seeking year-round greenery for their garden beds
Performance breakdown
Shade Adaptability
Thrives in low-light conditions where most flowering perennials struggle to survive.
Maintenance Effort
A low-fuss perennial that requires minimal intervention once established in the garden.
Visual Impact
Striking white-edged foliage provides high contrast for brightening dark garden corners.
Hardiness Range
Exceptional versatility across USDA zones three through nine ensures wide regional viability.
Growth Habit
Forms dense, arching mounds that effectively suppress weeds as a groundcover.
Container Suitability
Adapts well to pots, though requires consistent moisture to maintain leaf health.
Key Specs
Hardiness Zones
3-9
Mature Height
12-24 inches tall
Mature Spread
36 inches wide
Flower Scape Height
28 inches tall
Bloom Time
Late summer
Soil Moisture
Average, Moist / Wet
Native To
Northeastern Asia
Ships As
Potted Plant
Features
- Striking white-edged, heart-shaped foliage
- Thrives in shade to part shade
- Easy to grow and low maintenance
- Blooms with pale purple flowers
- Received RHS Award of Garden Merit
- Great for groundcover or containers
- Forms dense, arching mounds
- Naturalizes well over time
What customers say
Customer satisfaction for the Francee Hosta is high, focusing primarily on its striking aesthetic and robust performance. Reviewers consistently admire the crisp white margins contrasting with the deep green center, noting its excellent visual impact in shade gardens. A key theme is the plant's reliability and hardiness. Many customers report vigorous growth and successful establishment, even from bare root shipments. While initial concerns about the small size of the roots upon arrival sometimes occur, these worries fade quickly as the Hosta matures rapidly into a substantial specimen. The plant offers strong value due to its dependable nature and low maintenance, confirming its status as a high quality, classic shade perennial.
Know before you buy
This variety performs best in partial to full shade. While it can handle some filtered light, avoid planting it in direct, intense afternoon sun, which can scorch the leaves.
No, this plant is toxic to pets if ingested. It is best to plant it in areas where your cats or dogs do not typically graze or play.
Since this Hosta reaches a mature spread of about 36 inches, you should space them roughly 3 feet apart if you want to allow each plant to form its own distinct mound. For a denser groundcover effect, you can space them slightly closer.
The Francee Hosta is considered low maintenance. Beyond ensuring the soil stays moderately moist, you simply need to remove the flower scapes once they fade in late summer to keep the foliage looking tidy.
Yes, it is an excellent choice for containers. Ensure your pot has adequate drainage holes and use a high-quality potting mix to maintain the consistent moisture this plant prefers.
The Francee Hosta is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9, meaning it is highly adaptable to a wide range of climates. As a perennial, it will go dormant in the winter and return reliably the following spring.
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