Purple hostas are popular perennials, favored for enhancing shaded garden areas with their distinctive foliage. They offer a broad spectrum of sizes, shapes, and textures, contributing visual interest and a sophisticated element to garden designs.
Understanding Purple Hostas and Shade
Purple hosta coloration comes from anthocyanin pigments, responsible for red, purple, and blue hues. Light levels influence anthocyanin production, enhancing purple tones.
Shade types affect purple hostas. Dense shade yields less vibrant hues. Dappled shade, with filtered sunlight, encourages stronger color and prevents scorching. Partial shade, with morning sun and afternoon shade, benefits many purple varieties, as direct afternoon sun fades or scorches.
While hostas prefer shade, morning sun can intensify leaf color. Too much direct sunlight melts the waxy coating on blue hostas, causing leaves to green. Careful placement ensures healthy growth and vibrant coloration.
Ideal Growing Conditions
Purple hostas thrive in moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Amend heavy clay or sandy soils with compost, well-rotted manure, or leaf mold to improve structure and fertility. Good drainage is important to prevent root rot; hostas do not tolerate soggy conditions.
Optimal soil pH for hostas is slightly acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0). This supports nutrient availability and plant health. Consistent soil moisture is necessary for lush growth, especially during dry spells.
Water deeply and consistently, reaching the root system without waterlogging. Mulch helps retain soil moisture and regulate temperature, benefiting root development. Hostas grow well in USDA zones 3-9, adaptable to various climates, requiring cold dormancy.
Planting and Ongoing Care
When planting purple hostas, dig a hole as deep as the root ball and at least twice as wide. Proper spacing is important for air circulation and to prevent overcrowding. Plant or divide hostas in early spring as new growth emerges, or in the fall.
Fertilization supports healthy growth and vibrant foliage. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring. Soil testing helps determine nutrient deficiencies for precise fertilization.
Slugs and snails are common pests, creating holes in hosta leaves. Organic prevention includes copper rings, beer traps, or diatomaceous earth. Voles can damage roots; use physical barriers or repellents. Fungal spots, like anthracnose, can appear on leaves; remove infected leaves and ensure good air circulation. Water at the soil level reduces fungal disease risk.
General maintenance includes deadheading spent flower stalks to direct energy towards foliage rather than seed production. Divide overgrown clumps every three to five years to maintain plant vigor and propagate.
Recommended Purple Hosta Varieties
Several purple hosta varieties are known for their characteristics in shaded gardens. These cultivars often have purple petioles or blue-purple leaves.
‘Purple Heart’ features deep purple petioles contrasting with rich green, heart-shaped leaves. The purple color sometimes extends into the leaf fold. Its dark purple flowers emerge on black scapes.
‘Red October’ features deep purple petioles complementing narrow, blue-green leaves that may develop a silver sheen. As temperatures cool, its purple stems deepen. ‘Purple Passion’ also features deep purple petioles against lush green foliage, providing bold contrast. This versatile variety can be used as a border plant or in containers.
‘Raspberry Sundae’ features purple petioles and cream to yellow variegated leaves. Its combination of deep purple stems and lighter variegation is visually striking. ‘Blue Skin’ has very blue, arrow-shaped, gently wavy leaves held aloft by purple stems, producing lavender flowers. ‘Peek-a-boo Purple’ features twisted, rippled blue-green leaves displaying burgundy petioles and pale lavender flowers on burgundy scapes. It is noted for vigorous growth and attractive rippled foliage.