H. ‘Ilona’

Overview

Registered in 2011, *Hosta* 'Ilona' is a sport of *Hosta* 'Krossa Regal' and is visually distinctive for its upright, live-centered form with blue-green leaves edged in creamy white margins. The lance-shaped leaves are deeply twisted, slightly rippled, and measure 7.9 inches long by 3.9 inches wide, with nine vein pairs and a tapered base.

In the Garden

This medium-sized cultivar reaches a mature diameter of 23.6 inches and a height of 19.7 inches, with scapes rising 33.5 inches above the foliage. It performs best in partial to full shade, as is typical for blue-green hostas, and its upright habit makes it suitable for mid-border positions or as a specimen in woodland gardens. The gray-blue scapes and white-margined leaves pair well with ferns, heucheras, or other shade-tolerant perennials.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as growth emerges. Like most hostas, it is susceptible to slug and deer damage; monitor regularly and take protective measures if needed.