H. ‘Tortifrons’

Overview

Registered in 2002 but of much older Japanese origin, this small hosta was developed by F. Maekawa. *Hosta* 'Tortifrons' is distinguished by its narrow, dark green leaves mottled with lighter green, and by its unusual vein pairs—two to three pairs per leaf, with some veins running together rather than remaining separate.

In the Garden

With a mature spread of 16 inches (40.6 cm) and height of 6 inches (15.2 cm), 'Tortifrons' forms a slow-growing, mound-like clump suitable for the front of a border, rock garden, or container. It performs best in partial to full shade, as is typical for the genus, and pairs well with other small shade perennials such as ferns, heucheras, or dwarf astilbes. Its compact size and slow growth make it an excellent choice for trough gardens or small shaded nooks.

Care Notes

Provide consistent moisture, especially during dry periods, and apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Like most hostas, it may be damaged by slugs and snails, and deer will browse the foliage if given access.