H. ‘Blue Skies’

Overview

Registered in 1988 by E. Smith and the British Hosta and Hemerocallis Society, 'Blue Skies' is a small hosta of the *H.* Tardiana Group, distinguished by its blue-green foliage, which is nearly as wide as it is long. The leaves measure 4.5 inches (11.4 cm) long and 4 inches (10.2 cm) wide, with nine pairs of veins and blue-green margins.

In the Garden

'Blue Skies' forms a compact mound 9 inches (22.9 cm) tall and 10 inches (25.4 cm) in diameter, making it suitable for the front of a border, rock gardens, or container plantings. It performs best in partial to full shade, where its blue-green color is most pronounced, and pairs well with ferns, heucheras, and other small shade perennials. Its small size also makes it an excellent choice for troughs or mixed shade containers.

Care Notes

Water regularly to maintain consistent moisture, especially during dry periods; apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like most hostas, 'Blue Skies' is susceptible to slug and deer damage in typical hosta-growing zones.