Hosta ‘Royal Wedding’ is a highly sought-after cultivar, celebrated for its distinctive foliage and robust growth. This particular hosta offers visual appeal and ease of care, making it a popular choice for shaded garden spaces. Its unique characteristics appeal to both novice and experienced plant enthusiasts. It brightens darker landscape areas, providing consistent beauty throughout the growing season.
Distinguishing Features of Hosta ‘Royal Wedding’
Hosta ‘Royal Wedding’ is recognized by its striking variegated leaves, which feature a bright gold or chartreuse center bordered by a darker green margin. The leaves possess a slightly corrugated texture and a distinct ovate shape. This medium-sized hosta typically reaches a mature height of 16-18 inches and spreads to a similar width, forming a mounded clump.
Its variegation remains vibrant throughout the growing season. In mid-summer, ‘Royal Wedding’ produces bell-shaped, nearly white flowers on scapes rising above the foliage. These delicate blooms offer a subtle complement to the bold leaf patterns. Its compact size makes it suitable for various garden applications, including borders and container plantings.
Planting and Site Selection
Hosta ‘Royal Wedding’ thrives in partial to full shade, ideally receiving morning sun but protection from harsh afternoon sun, which can scorch its leaves. An ideal location is under the canopy of deciduous trees or on the north side of a building, where filtered or dappled shade is consistent.
The soil should be well-draining, rich in organic matter, and have a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.5 to 7.0). Before planting, amend heavy clay soils with compost to improve drainage and aeration. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep, ensuring the plant’s crown is level with the soil surface. Space multiple plants 18-24 inches apart for mature spread and good air circulation, or plant individually in containers with adequate drainage.
Ongoing Care for Hosta ‘Royal Wedding’
Consistent moisture is important for ‘Royal Wedding’ hostas, especially during dry periods and their establishment phase. Water deeply and regularly, aiming for about an inch of water per week from rainfall or irrigation. Water in the morning to allow foliage to dry before nightfall, which helps prevent fungal issues.
Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch, such as shredded leaves or bark, around the plant’s base. This mulch retains soil moisture, suppresses weeds, and slowly releases nutrients as it decomposes. Keep mulch a few inches away from the plant’s crown.
Fertilization supports vigorous growth, though hostas are not heavy feeders. Apply a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer for ornamental plants in early spring as new growth emerges. A compost topdressing can also provide a gentle nutrient boost. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to excessive, soft growth susceptible to pests.
Remove spent flower stalks after blooming to direct the plant’s energy towards foliage development. Any yellowing or damaged leaves should be promptly trimmed throughout the growing season to maintain the plant’s appearance and health. As winter approaches, foliage will naturally yellow and die back. Cut back dead foliage to the ground after the first hard frost to reduce overwintering sites for slugs and other pests.
Common Challenges and Solutions
Slugs and snails are common pests for Hosta ‘Royal Wedding’, often the most persistent pests, chewing irregular holes in leaves, especially during damp conditions. Manage them by hand-picking at dusk, setting beer traps, or applying slug bait products around plants, following label instructions.
Voles can gnaw on hosta crowns and roots. Protect plants with buried wire mesh or repellents to deter these rodents. Leaf scorch, characterized by browned, crispy leaf edges, signals too much direct sun or insufficient water during hot periods. Moving the plant to a shadier location or increasing irrigation alleviates this stress.
Yellowing leaves indicate either overwatering (leading to root rot) or underwatering. Assess soil moisture levels before watering to prevent both issues. Occasional fungal diseases like anthracnose can cause dark spots on leaves. Ensure good air circulation and avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal problems.