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hosta information

If you’re searching for hosta information to help you choose, grow, or enjoy these popular perennials in your New Zealand garden, you’re in the right place. Known for their lush, shade-loving foliage and low-maintenance requirements, hostas are treasured by gardeners throughout New Zealand. Whether you’re after a bold statement plant for a shaded corner or want to build a textured perennial border, hostas provide a wonderful range of forms, sizes, and colours. On this page, you’ll discover essential hosta information for selection, planting, care, and links to some exceptional varieties grown at our nursery.

Photinia 'Red Robin' hedge with colourful foliage.

Photinia 'Red Robin'

5 from 5 customers

Photinia ‘Red Robin’ is a popular evergreen shrub renowned for its vibrant red new growth, which contrasts beautifully with the mature glossy green foliage. It forms a dense, upright bush that can reach 3–4 metres tall, making it ideal for hedging, screening, or as a feature plant.

From $18.95

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 4.00 m
Spread: 4.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Hedging, Pool areas, Screening
Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
francoa-flower-girl-

Francoa 'Flower Girl'

Francoa 'Flower Girl' is a graceful perennial that produces elegant spikes of delicate flowers from late spring through summer. Its attractive clumps of lush green foliage provide year round interest, while the blooms add height, movement, and charm to borders and cottage gardens.

From $17.95

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 50 cm
Flowering time: Summer
Garden uses: Borders, Living areas, Paths & Steps
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine) as a ground cover showing lush foliage and white flowers.
Trachelospermum jasminoides (Star Jasmine)

Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) is a versatile, evergreen climber renowned for its glossy green leaves and masses of highly fragrant white...

From$15.50
tapener-tape-
Max Tapener Tape

This tape fits the Max Tapener. The 200 micron, green tape gives great durability, secure fastening, and smooth operation of the Max Tapener.

From$19.11
tapener-staples-1
Max Tapener Staples

Max Tapener Staples are designed for use with Max Tapener tying tools to securely fasten tape around plants and their supports. Strong and reliable...

From$9.92
White waterproof paper plant tags for sale.
Waterproof Paper Plant Tags

Waterproof Paper Plant Tags provide a practical way to label plants, trays, pots, and nursery stock while resisting moisture during everyday growing...

From$26.78
Hosta 'Sagae' plant with green and cream variegated leaves.
Hosta 'Sagae'

Hosta 'Sagae' is a large and impressive hosta with striking blue green leaves edged with golden margins, making it a standout in shaded NZ gardens...

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hosta-blue-angel-6
Hosta 'Blue Angel'

Hosta 'Blue Angel' is a magnificent perennial prized for its enormous blue grey leaves that create a bold architectural statement in shaded gardens...

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Hosta 'So Sweet'

Hosta 'So Sweet' is a charming variegated hosta with glossy green leaves edged in creamy white and fragrant summer flowers that add extra appeal...

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hosta-minuteman-1
Hosta 'Minuteman'

Hosta 'Minuteman' is a bold and elegant hosta featuring deep green leaves edged with crisp white margins that bring strong contrast to shaded NZ...

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Hosta Elegans'

Hosta 'Elegans', commonly known as Plantain Lily, is a classic shade perennial prized for its large blue green leaves and bold, textured form. It...

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Hosta 'Francee' plants with lush green foliage edged with white.
Hosta 'Francee'

Hosta 'Francee' is a classic shade loving perennial valued for its deep green leaves edged with crisp white margins. Well suited to New Zealand...

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Hosta 'Stained Glass'

Hosta 'Stained Glass' is a spectacular shade loving perennial admired for its large golden leaves with rich green margins that brighten shaded...

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Hosta 'Fire And Ice' plant.
Hosta 'Fire and Ice'

Hosta 'Fire and Ice' is a striking perennial known for its bold white leaves edged with deep green. It brings strong contrast and brightness to...

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Hosta 'Fire Island' plant.
Hosta 'Fire Island'

Hosta 'Fire Island' is a striking perennial known for its bright yellow leaves contrasted by red stems. It brings vibrant colour to shaded areas in...

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Hosta 'Twilight' plant with lush foliage.
Hosta 'Twilight'

Hosta 'Twilight' is a striking variegated hosta with blue green leaves edged in creamy yellow that bring contrast and brightness to shaded NZ...

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Hosta univittata plants with lush green leaves, striped with white.
Hosta undulata univittata

Hosta undulata univittata is a classic shade loving perennial valued for its wavy green leaves marked with a creamy white central stripe. Well suited...

OUT OF STOCK
Hosta 'Little Sunspot' plant with green and yellow variegated leaves.
Hosta 'Little Sunspot'

Hosta 'Little Sunspot' is a compact and eye catching variety with bright golden foliage that lights up shaded NZ gardens. Its smaller size makes it...

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Hosta 'Great Expectations' plant with green and yellow variegated leaves.
Hosta 'Great Expectations'

Hosta 'Great Expectations' is a magnificent shade loving perennial valued for its large blue green leaves with broad margins surrounding a creamy...

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Hosta 'First Frost' plant with blue and yellow variegated leaves.
Hosta 'First Frost'

Hosta 'First Frost' is a stunning shade loving perennial prized for its blue green foliage edged with creamy white margins that become brighter as...

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Hosta 'Earth Angel' plant with blue and yellow leaves.
Hosta 'Earth Angel'

Hosta 'Earth Angel' is a spectacular shade loving perennial admired for its large blue green leaves with broad creamy white margins. It brings...

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Hosta 'Aphrodite' plant with lush, green foliage.
Hosta 'Aphrodite'

Hosta 'Aphrodite' is a beautiful perennial known for its lush green foliage and fragrant white flowers that bloom in late summer. It adds elegance...

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Hosta 'Sum and Substance' plant with yellow foliage.
Hosta 'Sum and Substance'

Hosta 'Sum and Substance' is a bold and dramatic hosta prized for its large chartreuse to golden leaves that bring vibrant colour and scale to shaded...

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Hosta 'Krossa Regal' plants with lush, blue leaves.
Hosta 'Krossa Regal'

Hosta 'Krossa Regal' is a striking upright hosta known for its large blue green leaves and elegant vase shaped form. This variety brings height and...

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Colourful foliage on a Hosta 'Lemon and Lime' plant.
Hosta ''Lemon and Lime'

Hosta 'Lemon and Lime' is grown for its yellow and lime coloured foliage. The leaves are heart-shaped and have a somewhat wavy appearance. This...

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Hosta 'Patriot' plant with variegated leaves.
Hosta 'Patriot'

Hosta 'Patriot' is a standout variegated hosta featuring rich green leaves edged with bold white margins that instantly brighten shaded NZ gardens...

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Hosta 'Loyalist' plant with cream and green leaves.
Hosta 'Loyalist'

Hosta 'Loyalist' is a striking variegated hosta with bold green margins and a crisp white centre that brings brightness to shaded NZ gardens. This...

OUT OF STOCK
hosta-purple-heart-
Hosta 'Purple Heart'

Hosta 'Purple Heart' is an attractive perennial valued for its lush green foliage and distinctive purple toned leaf stems that add extra colour and...

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Hosta 'Hadspen Blue' plant with blue foliage.
Hosta 'Hadspen Blue'

Hosta 'Hadspen Blue' is a beautiful shade loving perennial grown for its thick blue green foliage that adds colour and texture to New Zealand gardens...

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Hosta 'Colour Glory' plant.
Hosta 'Colour Glory'

Hosta 'Colour Glory' is a stunning perennial known for its bold blue green leaves edged with creamy yellow. It adds vibrant contrast and texture to...

OUT OF STOCK
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Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears'

Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' is a compact perennial prized for its rounded blue green foliage and tidy growth habit. It is an excellent choice for adding...

OUT OF STOCK
Hosta 'Flemish Sky' plant with wavy, blue foliage.
Hosta 'Flemish Sky'

Hosta 'Flemish Sky' features impressively coloured foliage. The foliage comprises broad and wavy, intense blue leaves that are simply stunning. In...

OUT OF STOCK
Photinia 'Red Robin'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Francoa, Hosta, and Photinia, or related Categories - Plant Labels, Plant taping, and Evergreen Climbers.

Search hosta information

What is a Hosta?

Hostas are herbaceous perennials native to East Asia, widely grown for their attractive, often variegated leaves and their lovely, sometimes fragrant summer flowers. They thrive in dappled or full shade with moist, well-draining soil, making them perfect for those trickier spots in your garden. Depending on the variety, hosta leaves can be heart-shaped, rounded, or lance-like, with shades from blue-green to gold and creamy white.

Popular Hosta Varieties

If you’re looking for top-rated hosta varieties, consider these standout performers for New Zealand gardens:

How to Plant and Care for Hostas

A core part of hosta information relates to their easygoing nature. Plant your hostas in spring or autumn, spacing them to allow for mature growth. Enrich the planting hole with compost or leaf mould for best results. Mulch each year to retain moisture and suppress weeds, but keep mulch clear of the crowns to prevent rot.

While hostas are relatively drought-tolerant once established, they prefer consistently moist soil. Water deeply during dry spells and avoid overhead irrigation if slugs and snails are common. For lush growth, feed in spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer.

Hosta Uses in the Garden

Hostas are exceptionally versatile and offer much more than ground cover. Use them as specimen plants beneath trees, for edging shaded paths, or in large drifts beneath camellias and ferns. Their foliage contrasts beautifully with delicate woodland perennials and spring bulbs. Certain varieties—such as Hosta So Sweet and Hosta Elegans—make excellent feature plants in large pots for sheltered patios or entrances.

Browse and Buy Hostas

Explore our full selection of hostas and transform your shade garden with enduring beauty and structure. Whether you prefer the luminous variegation of Hosta Loyalist, the resilience of Hosta First Frost, or the volume of Hosta Pizzazz, our knowledgeable nursery team can help you select the best fit for your space.

If you have any questions or need specific hosta information for your garden, we’re always happy to help.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Celebrate your favourites like Gardenia radicans and Lomandra 'Tanika', then branch out with Metrosideros kermadecensis variegata (Variegated Pohutukawa), Cycas revoluta, and Acacia 'Limelight'.
–The Plant Company

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