H. ‘Salty Blue’

Overview

Registered in 2011, *Hosta* 'Salty Blue' is a medium-sized cultivar of unknown parentage, with *H. 'Azure Snow'* as the pod parent. It is visually distinguished by its intensely blue-green leaves with heavy, rippled margins and a pronounced glaucous bloom on both surfaces.

In the Garden

'Sally Blue' forms a mound-like clump reaching 15 inches (38.1 cm) in height and 30 inches (76.2 cm) in diameter, with a medium to fast growth rate. It performs best with some sun to develop its full glaucous bloom, though it tolerates typical hosta shade conditions. The broadly ovate leaves, 10 inches (25.4 cm) long and 6 inches (15.2 cm) wide with 10 to 12 vein pairs, have a rounded base and moderately to deeply wavy margins. Scapes rise 15 to 18 inches (38.1 to 45.7 cm) and show some blue coloration. Suitable companions include ferns, heucheras, and other blue-leaved hostas in mixed borders or woodland gardens.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. The thick, glaucous leaves offer moderate slug resistance, but standard slug control measures are advisable in damp conditions. Typical hosta-growing zones apply.