H. ‘Colossal’

Overview

Registered in 1977 by R. Savory, this large variegated cultivar forms a substantial mound of foliage with dark green leaf margins. The leaves measure 11 inches (27.9 cm) long by 9 inches (22.9 cm) wide, with 12 vein pairs, and the plant reaches 28 inches (71.1 cm) in height with a spread of 48 inches (121.9 cm). The scape height is recorded as 35 inches (88.9 cm), though the parentage remains unknown.

In the Garden

'Hosta 'Colossal' is suited to partial to full shade, where its large leaves create a bold textural presence. At maturity it forms a clump nearly 4 feet (1.2 m) across, making it appropriate for the middle to back of a border or as a specimen in a woodland garden. It pairs well with ferns, astilbes, and other shade-tolerant perennials that contrast with its broad foliage.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture during dry periods, particularly in the first growing season. Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as shoots emerge. Slugs and deer may damage foliage, so monitoring and protective measures are advisable in typical hosta-growing zones.