H. ‘Carmen Ohio’

Overview

Registered in 2015, *Hosta* 'Carmen Ohio' is a small sport of *Hosta* 'Hearts and Flowers' with unknown pollen parent. This cultivar is visually distinctive for its broadly ovate, cordate-based leaves that display a variegated center of variable greens surrounded by a pale white margin with slightly rippled edges.

In the Garden

'Carmen Ohio' forms a compact, mound-like clump reaching 9 inches (22.9 cm) in height and 12 inches (30.5 cm) in diameter, with a moderate growth rate. It performs best in partial to full shade, typical for hostas, and its small size makes it well-suited for rock gardens, woodland edges, or the front of shaded borders. Companion plants might include small ferns, heucheras, or miniature shade perennials that do not overwhelm its modest proportions.

Care Notes

Water regularly to maintain even soil moisture, particularly during dry periods, and apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like most hostas, 'Carmen Ohio' is susceptible to slug and deer damage, so protective measures may be necessary in areas where these pests are prevalent.