Empress Wu Hosta

Empress Wu Hosta is a true giant for the shade garden, developing an immense upright mound of deeply veined dark-green leaves. Mature plants can reach several feet tall and spread 5 to 6 feet wide, so this variety is best used as a dramatic specimen where it has room to develop. Pale reddish-violet flowers appear above the foliage in early to midsummer. Give it rich, well-drained soil, dependable moisture, and protection from hot afternoon sun. Available for local pickup from Towns Edge Nursery.

Plant details

• Botanical name: Hosta 'Empress Wu' PP20,774
• Light: Part shade to shade
• USDA zones: 3–9
• Mature size: 3–4 ft tall × 5–6 ft wide
• Foliage: Herbaceous; enormous, deeply veined dark-green leaves
• Flowers: Pale reddish-violet flowers
• Bloom season: Early to midsummer
• Water: Consistent moisture; do not allow to dry severely
• Growth habit: Giant, strongly upright, wide clump
• Landscape uses: Large shade-garden focal point, woodland border, specimen planting
• Deer tolerance: Frequently browsed by deer; protect where deer pressure is high

Plant size and performance vary with climate, soil and care. Hostas normally go dormant in winter and return in spring.