Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

hostas for shade

Hostas for shade are the perfect solution for New Zealand gardeners looking to add lush, vibrant foliage to those low-light corners of the garden. These hardy perennials thrive where other plants struggle, offering a diverse palette of leaf shapes, colours, and sizes. Whether you want to brighten up your shady beds, border a path, or create a tranquil retreat beneath trees, hostas are your go-to shade-loving plant. With their reliable performance and captivating foliage, hostas for shade are both practical and beautiful, delivering year-after-year with minimal effort.

Acanthus mollis perennial with purple-white flowers above lush, green foliage.

Acanthus mollis (Bears Breeches)

Acanthus mollis, known as Bears Breeches or Oyster Plant, is a bold and striking perennial that adds a touch of elegance to NZ gardens. It features large, glossy, lobed leaves and tall flower spikes adorned with white and purple blooms in summer. This easy-care plant thrives in a variety of conditions and makes a stunning statement in shaded or partially sunny garden areas.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 80 cm
Spread: 80 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy, Shade
Garden uses: Borders, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
helleborus-pink-

Helleborus Pink Hybrid (Hellebore)

Helleborus Pink Hybrid is a beautiful winter-flowering perennial offering blooms in shades of soft to deep pink. It flowers from mid to late winter, brightening shaded spaces when little else is in bloom. The Plant Company supplies healthy, NZ-grown Helleborus Pink Hybrid plants that thrive in cool, shaded areas and require minimal maintenance.

Suited to regions: All regions
Plant type: Perennials
Height: 45 cm
Spread: 45 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Winter
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical
50-windbreak-2
Shadecloth - 50% Shade (Shade Cloth)

This shade cloth which is also used as garden windbreak, reduces light levels and windspeeds by 50%. Therefore, 50% of the wind or light will still...

From$428.40
50-windbreak-roll-2
Windbreak - 50% (Garden Shade Cloth)

This green windbreak is also used as garden shade cloth and reduces light levels and windspeeds by 50%. Therefore, 50% of the wind or light will...

From$856.80
70-windbreak-2
Shadecloth - 70% Shade (Shade Cloth For Plants)

This shade cloth for plants, which is also used as plant windbreaks, reduces light levels and windspeeds by 70%. Therefore, 30% of the wind or light...

From$499.80
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...

OUT OF STOCK
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...

OUT OF STOCK
Hosta 'Brim Cup' plant with variegated foliage.
Hosta 'Brim Cup'

Hosta 'Brim Cup' is a compact perennial known for its blue green leaves edged with creamy yellow that mature to soft cream. It brings gentle contrast...

OUT OF STOCK
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...

OUT OF STOCK
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...

OUT OF STOCK
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...

OUT OF STOCK
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...

OUT OF STOCK
Hosta 'Kiwi Skyscraper' plant with blue foliage.
Hosta 'Kiwi Skyscraper'

Hosta 'Kiwi Skyscraper' is a bold upright variety that stands out with its tall habit and lush green foliage, adding height and structure to shaded...

OUT OF STOCK
hosta-dew-drop-2
Hosta 'Dew Drop'

Hosta 'Dew Drop' is a charming perennial known for its soft green foliage edged with creamy white. It brings a fresh, bright look to shaded areas in...

OUT OF STOCK
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
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...

OUT OF STOCK
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...

OUT OF STOCK
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...

OUT OF STOCK
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...

OUT OF STOCK
Hosta 'Pizzazz' plant with blue and white variegated leaves.
Hosta 'Pizzazz'

Hosta 'Pizzazz' is a striking shade loving perennial grown for its bold variegated foliage that brings colour, texture, and elegance to New Zealand...

OUT OF STOCK
Hosta 'Pandoras Box' plant with cream and green leaves.
Hosta 'Pandoras Box'

Hosta 'Pandoras Box' is a charming miniature hosta with striking variegated foliage featuring creamy white centres edged with deep green margins...

OUT OF STOCK
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...

OUT OF STOCK
hosta-so-sweet-1
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...

OUT OF STOCK
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...

OUT OF STOCK
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...

OUT OF STOCK
hosta-elegans-5
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...

OUT OF STOCK
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...

OUT OF STOCK
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 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 '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...

OUT OF STOCK
Hosta 'Praying Hands' with dark green foliage.
Hosta 'Praying Hands'

Hosta 'Praying Hands' is a unique and highly sought after variety with narrow upright leaves that fold together, creating a distinctive architectural...

OUT OF STOCK
hosta-stained-glass-
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...

OUT OF STOCK
Acanthus mollis (Bears Breeches)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acanthus, Helleborus, and Hosta, or related Categories - Shadecloth & Windbreak, and Perennials.

Search hostas for shade

Why Choose Hostas for Shade?

Hostas are renowned for their tolerance of shady conditions, making them ideal for under trees, beside buildings, or in sheltered woodland gardens. Their expansive leaves act as a living mulch, keeping weeds at bay and helping retain soil moisture. Many varieties produce elegant flower spikes in summer, attracting pollinators and adding extra seasonal interest. Hostas for shade are also low-maintenance, needing only occasional watering and protection from slugs and snails. With countless cultivars available, it’s easy to create a layered, textured look that suits any garden design.

Top Hostas for Shade in New Zealand

If you’re searching for striking hostas for shade, consider these popular options, all suitable for New Zealand conditions:

Planting and Care Tips

When planting hostas for shade, choose a spot with dappled light or morning sun. Prepare the soil by enriching it with well-rotted compost for moisture retention and good drainage. Space plants to allow airflow, and mulch annually to suppress weeds and conserve water. Hostas grow best with regular watering, especially during dry spells. Protect young foliage from slugs and snails with natural deterrents or barriers. In autumn, remove spent leaves to tidy the garden and reduce pest habitat.

Creating a Shady Oasis with Hostas

Combining different hostas for shade creates a layered, textured garden where foliage takes centre stage. Mix varieties for contrasting colours and shapes, or pair with ferns, astilbes, and heucheras for added diversity. Hostas are reliable performers, making them an excellent investment for shaded garden spaces across New Zealand.

Explore our full range to find the best hostas for shade and transform your garden’s cooler corners into lush, tranquil retreats.


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.

Our most famous blooms include Corokia 'Frosted Chocolate' and Gardenia 'Veitchii', but some of our best-kept secrets are Sedum Gold Mound, Choisya 'Aztec Pearl', and Hemerocallis Wee William Mullis (Wee William Mullis Daylily) — underrated beauties ready to shine.
–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.8

445 Google reviews