Empress Wu Hosta

One of the Largest Hostas for Shade Gardens. Empress Wu Hosta is a giant shade perennial grown for its massive leaves, bold upright habit, and impressive garden presence. This is not a small filler hosta. It is a statement plant for gardeners who want dramatic foliage, cool blue-green color, and a strong focal point in shaded beds, woodland gardens, and large foundation plantings. Huge Leaves with Deep Veining and Heavy Substance. The foliage is the main attraction of Empress Wu Hosta. Its very large, thick leaves are blue-green to deep green with strong veining and a broad, sculptural look. Mature leaves can reach impressive sizes, giving the plant a tropical feel even in cool shade. The heavy leaf substance also helps the plant hold up better than many thinner-leaved hostas. Pale Reddish-Violet Flowers in Midsummer. In midsummer, Empress Wu Hosta produces pale reddish-violet to mauve-lilac flowers on upright scapes above the foliage. The blooms add seasonal height and may attract hummingbirds to the shade garden. While this hosta is primarily grown for its foliage, the flowers provide a soft contrast to the giant leaves and add movement during the summer season. A Specimen Hosta with Serious Landscape Presence. Empress Wu Hosta works beautifully as a specimen plant, woodland garden anchor, shaded border backdrop, large container feature, or mass planting where space allows. Use it under high-canopied trees, near shaded patios, along wide woodland paths, or at the back of mixed shade beds. Pair it with ferns, astilbe, heuchera, hellebores, brunnera, carex, Japanese forest grass, bleeding heart, and smaller variegated hostas for contrast. Low Maintenance with Deer and Slug Awareness. Empress Wu Hosta is easy to grow in part shade to full shade with fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Its thick foliage may offer good slug resistance compared with thinner-leaved hostas, but slug damage can still occur in damp shade. Deer commonly browse hostas, so use protection in high-deer areas. Give this giant hosta consistent moisture, organic matter, and enough room to develop its full size.