purple hosta

Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
Price range: Contact Us
Rating: 4.8/5

If you’re searching for distinctive and eye-catching foliage for your garden, a purple hosta may be just what you need. While traditional hostas are prized for their lush green leaves, certain varieties feature striking purple stems or tinges, adding a splash of colour to shaded beds and borders. Whether you’re a seasoned hosta collector or new to shade gardening, let’s explore how a purple hosta can enhance your landscape and which related varieties thrive in New Zealand gardens.

Hosta 'Dew Drop'

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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 New Zealand gardens and is well suited to smaller spaces. This attractive hosta is ideal for borders, containers, or underplanting. Its compact habit and clean variegation make it a popular choice for adding texture and contrast in low light areas.

Buy Hosta 'Dew Drop'

From $24.23

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Perennials

Height: 15 cm

Spread: 20 cm

Flowering time: Summer

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas

Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Tropical

Hosta Blue Mouse Ears

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Hosta Blue Mouse Ears is a miniature variety that features blue-green leaves with a powdery appearance. The foliage is complemented with lavender-coloured flowers through summer which are held neatly above the leaves. This herbaceous perennial typically grows to 20 cm tall and 40 cm wide. Hosta Blue Mouse Ears is commonly planted as a groundcover, included in borders, used in tropical and cottage gardens, or planted around outdoor living areas. A mass planting affords an impressive display.

Buy Hosta Blue Mouse Ears

From $24.23

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Perennials

Height: 20 cm

Spread: 40 cm

Flowering time: Summer

Tolerances: Shade

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Ponds, Pool areas

Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Tropical

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Acaena, Anthurium, Bougainvillea, Corylus, Dodonaea, Fagus, Fraxinus, Hosta, Hoya, Lavender, Leptinella Mesembryanthemum and Salvia, or related Categories - Evergreen Climbers, Groundcover Plants, Indoor Plants, Perennials, Evergreen Shrubs Succulents and Deciduous Trees.

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What Is a Purple Hosta?

The term “purple hosta” typically refers to varieties with purple features on the leaf stems (petioles) or blushes on new foliage, rather than solid purple leaves. One of the most popular varieties is Hosta Purple Heart, named for its vivid purple petioles that stand out against bold green foliage. These plants grow well in shaded or partially shaded spots, where their unique colouring creates dynamic contrast among traditional green hostas.

Why Add a Purple Hosta to Your Garden?

Adding a purple hosta to your garden brings an unexpected pop of colour and elegance to your shade plantings. The purple hues are ideal for complementing darker foliage, silvery groundcover, or variegated plants. Hostas with purple tints or stems are reliable perennials, loved for their ease of care and ability to thrive in New Zealand’s milder regions. They’re also perfect for woodland gardens, borders, container gardening, and even as focal points near pathways or patios.

Top Purple-Featured Hostas to Grow

Hosta Purple Heart: This standout variety features deep purple stems and broad, spear-shaped leaves, adding texture and vibrancy wherever it's planted.
Hosta Queen Josephine: While not classified as a true purple hosta, this variety impresses with its striking variegation and vigorous growth, pairing beautifully with any hostas displaying purple colouring.
Hosta Elegans: Known for its magnificent blue-green foliage, [Hosta Elegans] provides the perfect backdrop for more colourful varieties like Hosta Purple Heart.
Hosta Loyalist: This variety’s crisp white leaf centres and dark green margins offer exceptional contrast when combined with purple-tinged hostas.
Hosta St Elmo's Fire: Notable for its glowing yellow new leaves and red-purple petioles, this hosta adds additional colour for a multi-hued effect in garden beds.

Growing Tips for Purple Hostas in New Zealand

To keep your purple hosta healthy and vibrant, choose a shaded or partially shaded position with fertile, well-draining soil. Mulch in spring to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Hostas love consistent moisture, so water during dry spells. Watch out for slugs and snails, which are attracted to hostas, particularly in lush, sheltered nooks. Feed established hostas yearly with a balanced, slow-release fertiliser for best foliage colour.

Bring Character To Your Shade Garden

With their unique colouring and reliable habit, purple hostas are an excellent choice for gardeners looking to add texture and interest to shady areas. Whether you fall for the standout stems of Hosta Purple Heart or want to mix and match with Hosta Queen Josephine, Hosta Elegans, Hosta Loyalist, or Hosta St Elmo's Fire, there’s a perfect hosta combination just waiting to brighten your garden.

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.