purple leaf hosta

Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
Price range: Contact Us
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Searching for the elusive purple leaf hosta? You’re not alone—New Zealand gardeners are captivated by the idea of a hosta with striking purple foliage. While most hostas are celebrated for their lush green, blue, or variegated leaves, purple leaf hostas remain more myth than reality. But don’t be discouraged: several hosta varieties feature purple accents, especially in their flowers or stems, and offer exceptional colour for shaded gardens. Let’s explore what’s currently available, how to create bold foliage contrasts, and the best alternatives for gardeners longing for that purple flair.

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

Corylus maxima Purpurea

Corylus maxima Purpurea, commonly known as the Purple-Leaved Filbert tree, is grown for its attractive foliage and interesting catkins. This deciduous tree typically grows to 6 m tall and the same wide bearing deep purple, serrated leaves held on multiple stems. Corylus maxima Purpurea is commonly grown as a specimen tree.

Buy Corylus maxima Purpurea

From $299.92

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Trees

Height: 6.00 m

Spread: 6.00 m

Flowering time: Spring

Tolerances: Hardy

Garden uses: Hedging

Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean

Did you find what you are looking for?

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

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Is There a True Purple Leaf Hosta?

While the term “purple leaf hosta” is popular in gardening circles, there are no widely recognised hosta cultivars with entirely purple leaves. Hostas naturally produce foliage ranging from deep blue to golden yellow and creamy variegation, but purple is typically found in their stems or flower scapes. If you’re looking for a hosta with purple hues, consider varieties like Hosta Purple Heart, which boasts vivid purple petioles (leaf stems), creating a dazzling effect when leaves arch away from their base.

Best Alternatives to Purple Leaf Hostas

Although a true purple leaf hosta has yet to grace the nursery world, you can achieve similar visual interest by pairing hostas with purple-flowered perennials or by choosing hostas with dramatic foliage:

Hosta Purple Heart – Features striking purple stems and mid-green leaves, perfect for layering with purple companion plants.
Hosta Queen Josephine – Offers beautifully variegated leaves with lavender flower spikes, ideal for adding sophisticated colour.
Hosta Elegans – Renowned for its large, blue-green foliage and pale lavender blooms, creating soothing, contrasting textures in shaded spots.

Creating Colourful Shade Gardens with Hostas

Hostas thrive in shady, moist conditions and are famed for their resilience in New Zealand gardens. To mimic that purple leaf hosta magic, combine hostas with plants that deliver genuine purple foliage or blooms. Coral bells, heucheras, and purple ferns pair brilliantly with varieties like Hosta Sagae, known for its elegant, gold-margined leaves.

If you’re seeking a truly eye-catching miniature option with unique variegation, Hosta Pandoras Box deserves a spot in your collection. This compact hosta boasts pure white centres surrounded by creamy and green edges, providing dazzling contrast for smaller spaces.

Planting and Care Tips

Even without a true purple leaf hosta, caring for your hostas is straightforward. Plant them in rich, well-drained soil, mulch annually, and water consistently during dry spells. Hostas are low-maintenance, slug-resistant, and reward you with years of beautiful foliage and delicate flowers.

Whether your goal is purple foliage or simply lush, shade-loving beauty, hostas offer a world of possibilities. Browse our range— including favourites like Hosta Elegans, Hosta Queen Josephine, and Hosta Pandoras Box—and discover the perfect hosta for your garden palette.

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.