H. ‘Heart Strings’

Overview

Registered in 2016, *Hosta* 'Heart Strings' is a small-sized cultivar resulting from a cross between *H.* 'Paradise Joyce' (pod parent) and *H.* 'Fire Island' (pollen parent). This cultivar is visually distinctive for its blue-green, heart-shaped leaves with gold margins and prominent veins that turn creamy white as the leaf matures, leaving darker green streaks that create a "stringed" appearance.

In the Garden

'Heart Strings' forms a compact, mound-like clump reaching 15 inches (38.1 cm) in height and 25 inches (63.5 cm) in diameter, with a moderate growth rate. It performs best in partial to full shade, typical of most hostas, and its small stature makes it well-suited for container culture, rock gardens, or the front of shaded borders. Companion plants include ferns, heucheras, and other small woodland perennials that complement its blue-green foliage.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like most hostas, 'Heart Strings' may be susceptible to slug and deer damage in garden settings.