H. ‘The Fonz’

Overview

Registered in 2012, *Hosta* 'The Fonz' is a medium-sized variegated cultivar bred from *H.* 'Sugar and Spice' as the pod parent and an unnamed seedling as the pollen parent. The plant is distinguished by its heavily rippled, dark green leaf margins and a notably shiny upper leaf surface, a textural quality that sets it apart from many other variegated hostas.

In the Garden

'The Fonz' forms a dense, mound-like clump reaching 30 inches (76.2 cm) in diameter and 12 inches (30.5 cm) in height, with a fast growth rate. It performs best in partial to full shade, typical for hostas, and its wavy, ovate leaves with rounded bases and 11 to 12 vein pairs provide strong textural contrast when paired with finer-leaved perennials such as ferns or heucheras. The plant's moderate size makes it suitable for the middle of a shaded border or as a specimen in a woodland garden.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture during the growing season, particularly in warmer climates, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. As with most hostas, slug and deer damage may occur, though the heavy leaf texture may offer some resistance to minor pest pressure.