Hosta ‘Bobcat’ is a visually appealing and distinct hosta variety, making it a desirable choice for many garden settings. Its unique characteristics and relatively straightforward care appeal to gardeners seeking both beauty and manageability. This plant offers a reliable way to introduce vibrant foliage into shady areas, enhancing the overall aesthetic of a landscape.
Characteristics of Hosta ‘Bobcat’
Hosta ‘Bobcat’ is recognized for its striking foliage, featuring blue-green leaves with wide, creamy margins. These margins emerge yellow and gradually transition to creamy white as summer progresses. The leaves are thick, providing a robust texture. This variety forms a dense, mounding clump, reaching 12-14 inches tall and 26-30 inches wide. In mid to late summer, ‘Bobcat’ produces delicate lavender flowers on scapes that rise above the foliage.
Planting Hosta ‘Bobcat’
Planting Hosta ‘Bobcat’ requires proper site selection and soil preparation. This hosta thrives in partial to full shade, as excessive direct sun can scorch its leaves. It performs best in well-draining soil rich in organic matter. If soil retains water, amend it with organic material like compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage.
The optimal time to plant ‘Hosta Bobcat’ is early spring or late summer to early fall. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root system, ensuring the crown is positioned about one inch below the soil surface. Space plants 26-30 inches apart to allow for mature spread. ‘Hosta Bobcat’ is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 9.
Ongoing Care for Hosta ‘Bobcat’
Consistent moisture is important for ‘Hosta Bobcat’, especially during dry periods. Newly planted hostas need deep watering two to three times per week for the first few weeks to keep the soil consistently moist. Once established, weekly watering, providing approximately one inch of water including rainfall, is sufficient. Apply water directly to the root zone and avoid overhead watering to help prevent fungal issues and deter slugs and snails.
Fertilization is beneficial, particularly if the soil is poor. Apply a general-purpose slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Container plants may require more frequent feeding, such as a liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season. Slugs and snails are common pests that cause irregular holes in hosta foliage. Manage them by removing debris around plants, hand-picking at night, or using slug baits containing iron phosphate. Coffee grounds can also deter slugs and act as a natural fertilizer.
For winter care, allow foliage to die back naturally. Once leaves have yellowed or browned, cut them back to the ground in late fall or early spring. Divide ‘Hosta Bobcat’ every few years in early spring or late summer to rejuvenate overcrowded clumps and maintain plant vigor.
Landscape Uses for Hosta ‘Bobcat’
Hosta ‘Bobcat’ offers versatile applications in garden design due to its distinctive foliage and mounding habit. Its blue-green leaves with contrasting creamy margins provide excellent color and texture in shaded garden beds. The plant’s dense growth creates a lush groundcover effect, suitable for mass plantings under trees or along pathways where grass struggles to grow.
This hosta excels in shade gardens, providing a focal point or serving as a border plant. It also performs well in containers, allowing for flexible placement on patios or other shaded outdoor living spaces. Companion plants that share similar light and moisture requirements complement ‘Hosta Bobcat’ effectively. These include:
Ferns, for delicate, fine-textured contrast
Astilbe, adding upright plumes of color
Spring-blooming bulbs like daffodils or muscari, offering early season interest before the hosta fully emerges (their fading foliage is hidden by the hosta’s expanding leaves)
Coral bells (Heuchera)
Bleeding hearts (Dicentra), which contribute additional foliage colors and textures