H. ‘Hermes’

Overview

Registered in 2004, *Hosta* 'Hermes' is a medium-sized cultivar originating from an F-1 seedling of *Hosta* 'Zebra' with an unknown pollen parent. The plant is visually distinctive for its medium green leaves marked by unstable white streaks and heavily rippled, white margins that create a deeply wavy leaf edge.

In the Garden

'Hermes' forms a mound-like clump reaching 28 inches (71.1 cm) in diameter and 9 inches (22.9 cm) in height, with a moderate growth rate. It performs best in partial to dappled shade, as is typical for variegated hostas, where the white margins are less prone to scorching. The broadly ovate leaves with cordate bases and deep waviness provide textural contrast when paired with finer-textured shade perennials such as ferns or *Heuchera*.

Care Notes

Standard hosta care applies: consistent moisture during the growing season, with a balanced fertilizer applied in early spring as shoots emerge. As with many hostas, slug and deer damage may occur, though the heavily rippled margins may offer slight resistance to slug feeding.