Create Your Garden

Hosta ‘First Frost’ (Plantain Lily)

Plantain Lily 'First Frost', 'First Frost' Hosta

AGM Award
Hosta First Frost, Variegated Plantain lily, Plantain Lily 'First Frost', Shade perennials, Plants for shade

Prized for its foliage which remains attractive until the first frost, ‘First Frost’ (Plantain Lily) is a lovely addition to shady areas. It forms attractive, dense mounds of upright, heart-shaped blue-green leaves,  7in. long (17 cm), with wide gold margins in spring, gradually maturing to creamy white. Funnel-shaped pale lavender blooms appear in midsummer, rising on scapes  28 in. long (70 cm), but the primary contribution of this hosta is its lovely foliage.

  • Easy grower, Hosta ‘First Frost’ grows 16 in. tall (40 cm) and spreads 24-36 in. (60-90 cm).
  • Recipient of multiple awards, including the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society and the American Hosta Growers 2010 Hosta of the Year award
  • Performs best in part shade to full shade in fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Shelter from cold, dry winds.
  • Perfect for the shade garden, mixed with other perennials in beds and borders, city gardens, and cottage gardens. Great for edging or underplanting shrubs and roses.
  • Watch for slugs and snails, which could damage the attractive foliage.
  • Cut off the stems after blooming to encourage the plant’s growth. Discolored leaves should be trimmed back to the ground.
  • Propagate by division in early spring or late summer.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 2 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Asparagaceae
Genus Hosta
Common names Plantain Lily, Hosta
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 36"
(60cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Full Shade
Attracts Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Hosta
Guides with
Hosta
Not sure which Hosta to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Hosta ‘Fragrant Bouquet’ (Plantain Lily)
Hosta ‘Abiqua Drinking Gourd’ (Plantain Lily)
Hosta ‘Silver Bullet’ (Plantain Lily)
Hosta ‘Blueberry Muffin’ (Plantain Lily)
Hosta ‘Queen Josephine’ (Plantain Lily)
Hosta ‘Warwick Comet’ (Plantain Lily)

Recommended Companion Plants

Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ (Hakone Grass)
Matteuccia struthiopteris (Ostrich Fern)
Hydrangea macrophylla ‘Madame Emile Mouillere’
Astilbe

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

A Charming Plant Combination for Shady Gardens: Hydrangea, Japanese Maple and Boxwood
A Charming Plant Combination for Shady Gardens: Candelabra Primroses, Fern and Bugle
Best Foliage Plants for Your Garden
30 Great Perennials for Shade
Companion Plants for your Hostas
Prevent Slugs and Snails from Feasting on your Hostas
Miniature and Very Small Hostas for Gardens and Containers
Pretty Hostas Tolerant of Sun
Striking Blue Hostas for Gardens and Containers
Hostas for Warmer Climates
Award-Winning Hostas
Hosta (Plantain Lily)
Great Hostas as Companion Plants for Azaleas and Rhododendrons
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 2 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Asparagaceae
Genus Hosta
Common names Plantain Lily, Hosta
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 24" - 36"
(60cm - 90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Full Shade
Attracts Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Hosta
Guides with
Hosta
Not sure which Hosta to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Hosta ‘First Frost’ (Plantain Lily) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Hosta ‘First Frost’ (Plantain Lily) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone