H. ‘Birchwood Elegance’

Overview

Registered in 1986 by Shaw and the American Hosta Society, 'Birchwood Elegance' is a giant variegated cultivar derived from *Hosta sieboldiana* as the pod parent and the seedling 'FRW No. 382' as the pollen parent. Its most distinctive feature is the combination of dark green leaves with slight undulations along the margins, a trait that sets it apart from many other large hostas.

In the Garden

'Birchwood Elegance' reaches a mature spread of 77 inches (195.6 cm) in diameter and a height of 33 inches (83.8 cm), making it suitable for use as a specimen plant or as a bold accent in mixed borders. It performs best in partial to full shade, typical for hostas, and pairs well with ferns, astilbes, and other shade-tolerant perennials. Its substantial size precludes container cultivation for most gardeners.

Care Notes

Water regularly during dry spells, particularly in the first growing season, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. The large leaves are susceptible to slug damage, and deer may browse the foliage in areas where these animals are present.