The wonderful leaf color of Hosta 'Hadspen Blue' (Plantain Lily) makes it a very worthwhile garden plant. It forms an elegant mound of heart-shaped, smooth with some dimpling when mature, thick-textured, slightly cupped, rich blue leaves. Bell-shaped, pale lavender blooms appear in midsummer, rising on blue-gray scapes 18 in. long (45 cm), but the primary contribution of this hosta is its lovely foliage.

This cultivar retains its extraordinary blue leaf color longer than most blue hostas. Early to emerge, 'Hadspen Blue' is a slower growing hosta (takes several years to develop mature shape) whose dense foliage is pest resistant.

• Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
• Easy grower, this clump-forming perennial grows 18 in. tall (45 cm) and spreads 34 in. (85 cm).
• 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 bed and borders, city gardens, cottage gardens or containers. Great as a groundcover 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.