Hosta Anne is a popular perennial, valued for its appealing foliage and ability to enhance shaded garden spaces. This adaptable cultivar adds texture and color to landscapes.
What Makes Hosta Anne Unique
Hosta Anne develops into a medium-sized mound, typically reaching a height of 12 to 18 inches and spreading about 29 to 35 inches at maturity. Its leaves are rounded to heart-shaped with a thick, glossy texture and a slight waviness. The striking variegation consists of dark green centers contrasted by wide, clean yellow margins that can lighten to white in late summer, particularly when exposed to more sunlight. In mid-summer, pale lavender or purple, bell-shaped flowers emerge on upright stems, adding another layer of interest to the plant’s display.
Optimal Growing Conditions for Hosta Anne
Hosta Anne thrives in partial to full shade, benefiting from morning sun but protected from intense afternoon sun, which can scorch its foliage. Morning sun also helps intensify leaf colors. It prefers consistently moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter, with a pH range between 5.5 and 7.5, accommodating slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. Most soil types are suitable if drainage is sufficient.
Maintain consistent moisture by watering thoroughly when the top inch of soil is dry, ensuring the soil is damp but not waterlogged. Water at the base of the plant, not on the leaves. Newly planted Hosta Anne needs bi-weekly watering for the first month, then about an inch weekly once established. This hosta thrives in USDA hardiness zones 2 through 9.
Ongoing Care for Hosta Anne
Feed Hosta Anne with a balanced liquid fertilizer every two to four weeks during its active growing season, or apply a balanced plant food in spring and summer. Apply a layer of organic mulch annually in spring or autumn to retain soil moisture, regulate temperature, and suppress weeds. General maintenance involves removing any dried leaves, particularly in spring.
Spent flower stalks can be trimmed to tidy the plant’s appearance. For dormancy in colder regions, reduce watering in fall and cease it in winter. Division can be done in early spring or late summer for health or propagation.
Troubleshooting Common Hosta Anne Issues
Slugs and snails are common pests, identified by irregular holes and slime trails. Manage them with non-chemical methods like garlic wash, copper barriers, or sharp stones around the base. A clean garden also reduces hiding spots.
Leaf browning or scorching can result from excessive sun exposure or insufficient watering. Prevent this by ensuring appropriate shade and consistent moisture.
Diseases like anthracnose, characterized by irregular tan spots, thrive in damp conditions; good air circulation and watering at soil level help prevent spread. Hosta Virus X (HVX) causes mottled, distorted, or lumpy leaves and has no cure; remove affected plants and sanitize tools to prevent spread. Loss of variegation, where the yellow margin turns white, can occur with too much direct sunlight.