H. ‘Huron Blue’

Overview

Registered in 1990 by P. Banyai, this large blue-green cultivar is a hybrid of *Hosta* 'Dorothy Benedict'. Its most distinctive feature is the heavy glaucous bloom on the upper leaf surface, which gives the foliage a matte, powder-blue appearance; leaves are nearly round, measuring 9.5 inches (24.1 cm) in both length and width, with blue-green margins and 15 vein pairs.

In the Garden

'Huron Blue' forms a substantial mound 36 inches (91.4 cm) in diameter and 20 inches (50.8 cm) tall, making it suitable as a specimen or for the middle to back of a shaded border. It performs best in partial to full shade, where the glaucous coating is less likely to be washed off by rain or irrigation. Companion plants that appreciate similar conditions include ferns, *Heuchera*, and *Astilbe*; its large, rounded leaves provide strong textural contrast against finer foliage.

Care Notes

Water regularly during dry periods to maintain even soil moisture, and apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. The thick leaves offer moderate resistance to slugs, though monitoring is still advisable; deer may browse the foliage in areas where they are present.