H. ‘Riptide’

Overview

Registered in 1987 by V. Sellers, *Hosta* 'Riptide' is a medium-sized cultivar of unknown parentage, distinguished by its blue-green foliage with broad, blue-green margins and a pruinose (waxy) underside. The leaves are 6 inches (15.2 cm) long and 5 inches (12.7 cm) wide, with eight pairs of veins, and the plant forms a dense, rounded clump.

In the Garden

This hosta is best suited to partial to full shade, where its blue-green leaves maintain their color without scorching. Mature plants reach approximately 24 inches (61.0 cm) in height and 30 inches (76.2 cm) in diameter, making it a medium-sized specimen ideal for mid-border positions or as a groundcover in woodland gardens. It pairs well with ferns, astilbes, and other shade-tolerant perennials, and its moderate size allows for use in mixed containers if provided with adequate moisture.

Care Notes

Water regularly to keep soil evenly moist, especially during dry periods; apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Slugs and deer may damage foliage, so monitor and use barriers or repellents as needed in typical hosta-growing zones.