21 Giant Hostas for Your Shade Garden

Hostas were a staple of my childhood backyard. My mom split them every year, added divisions to plastic grocery bags, and drove around with them in her trunk until she managed to give them all away to friends and neighbors. I love knowing hostas are growing all around the metropolitan Detroit area that originated in our backyard. 

Hostas, or plantain lilies, are a simple perennial to add to shady backyard patios or along fence and tree lines out of the sun’s direct path. Plant them on north-facing wall lines behind bright annual flowers. I don’t think a garden is complete without them!

With over 3,000 hosta varieties to choose from, giants are some of my favorites. They are unapologetically huge, attract pollinators with their white or purple flowers, and add immense character to any garden space. Let’s discuss 21 giant hostas you can and should add to your shade garden. 

‘American King of the Woods’

	botanical name Hosta plantaginea ‘American King of the Woods’
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 36 inches
	hardiness zones 3 to 8

‘American King of the Woods’ is, as his name suggests, no joke. It boasts massive, deeply veined, dark blue-green, heart-shaped leaves up to 19 inches long. 

It grows fast but takes many years to form a massively dense mound. This variety has an impressive 60-inch spread and makes a beautiful specimen hosta. 

It’s a member of Van Wade’s American Series Hostas and one of the largest. Fertile, white flowers bloom in early summer and grow to just above the leaf tops. 

‘Gentle Giant’

	botanical name Hosta plantaginea ‘Gentle Giant’
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height Up to 4 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

This extra-large, upright hosta is unique and flashy, boasting erect and tall foliage and extremely cupped, wavy blue leaves. The growth rate is fast, and plants look great in large clumps. The lavender flowers appear in early summer. 

We know ‘Gentle Giant’ was bred with ‘France Williams’. The other variety is unknown at this time. 

While ‘Gentle Giant’ is tolerant of the sun, it will lose its lovely wax coating quicker, and the shade will become darker. Too much sun may cause the leaves to become papery and dry, so take care if you’re growing in a southern climate where the sun is harsh. 

‘Brother Stefan’

	botanical name Hosta plantaginea ‘Brother Stefan’
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 20 inches
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

One of the most unique and beautiful hostas you’ll see was named hybridizer Olga Petyszyn’s brother, Stefan, on his birthday. It’s considered a premium hosta. 

This heavily corrugated variety has thick, waxy leaves that appear more blue in the spring with a chartreuse center. It grows in a low mound and makes a lovely focal point surrounded by flowering perennials or when planted in mass. The whitish flowers bloom in late spring or early summer, and the plants are moderately slug-resistant. Water consistently for peak performance.

Pro tip: Hostas will perform well in urban areas where traffic pollution is bad. 

‘Humpback Whale’

	botanical name Hosta plantaginea ‘Humpback Whale’
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 4 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

Mildred Seaver was known as the “Queen of Hostas”, registering 95 hosta varieties in her lifetime, including this one. It has giant, dark green-blue, corrugated, heart-shaped leaves, tall blue scapes, and white flowers in early summer. Its name comes from its leaves’ resemblance to humpback whale’s tale flipping out of the water. 

Plant ‘Humpback Whale’ near your spring bulbs where their large leaves can shade out their foliage as they go dormant until the following season. 

Provide plenty of space to spread out as it can grow out up to seven feet! Hummingbirds love ‘Humpback Whale’, and it looks awesome along woods lines or in shady cottage gardens. 

‘Orion’s Belt’

	botanical name Hosta plantaginea ‘Orion’s Belt’
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 18 inches
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

This unique variety is a cross between ‘Pin Stripe’ and the classic Hosta montana macrophylla that offers a bright spin on the traditional dark green hosta. ‘Orion’s Belt’ will brighten up any shade garden and add a funky feel with its large, slightly cupped, and wavy, blue-green leaves that become surrounded by a bright and creamy yellow-green as it matures. 

This hosta blooms light lavender blooms midsummer and performs well on a covered porch, patio, or along a woods line. It does best when the soil is well-draining but can adapt to other types of soil. Water more when planting in containers. 

Provide plants with plenty of space to spread out up to 40 inches across.

‘Sum and Substance’

	botanical name Hosta plantaginea ‘Sum and Substance’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

Named American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year in 2004, this variety is a legend in the gardening world. Its gorgeously wavy, bright chartreuse leaves make quite the statement, forming a dense mound of varying up and down cupped leaves. Leaves become more golden as the summer goes on. 

Plant ‘Sum and Substance’ in a well-draining area with fertile, loamy, slightly acidic soil to enjoy it as a perennial that comes back strong each spring. Provide ample water as it’s becoming established. 

Toss these in a bare corner or fence line. Their mature size will fill in garden gaps without much effort. Lavender flowers appear in mid-summer. This variety can tolerate some sun and is ideal for warmer climate growers because of its shorter chilling requirements.

‘Earth Angel’

	botanical name Hosta plantaginea ‘Earth Angel’
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 12 to 40 inches
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

This mounding giant variety is a variegated offspring of the beloved ‘Blue Angel’ that features blue-green heart-shaped leaves with a light green border and was named Hosta of the Year in 2009. Tolerance to drought is good and it’s known for its extreme love of shade. 

‘Earth Angel’ can spread up to four feet, so space them at five feet so their leaves have space to breathe. Interplant creeping Jenny, Japanese forest grass, or shade-loving ferns. Consider adding native plants that perform well in partial to full shade to round out your shade garden line-up. 

This variety stays low to the ground and has a moderate growth rate. Plants will go dormant in the fall after being cut back, and new growth will appear in the spring. 

‘Blueberry Waffles’

	botanical name Hosta plantaginea ‘Blueberry Waffles’
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 30 inches
	hardiness zones 4 to 8

‘Blueberry Waffles’ is named for its waffle-like textured, puckered blue leaves, which, over time, form a large mound, perfect for borders or bedding. It’s an offspring of ‘Spilt Milk’ and ‘Abiqua Drinking Gourd’ with gorgeous white blooms that appear in July or August. 

Hostas are long-living perennials that are easy to grow and split for friends and neighbors once they are established and mature. Split hostas in the spring when eyes, or new growth, start to emerge from the soil. Split plants in the fall when temperatures have cooled but before frost arrives so your new plants have time to form roots before winter. 

Water plants, then use a clean, sharp spade to dig up the crown about 18 inches down into the soil. Remove excess soil and separate the crown into several clumps, depending on the size. Water the clumps, then place them in pots or tied-up plastic bags to retain moisture if not planted right away. Otherwise, plant them in new holes right away and water well to start a new plant.

‘Kingsize’

	botanical name Hosta plantaginea ‘Kingsize’
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height Up to 4 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

This cultivar doesn’t have a waxy coating like some other varieties but rather massive and shiny, dark green leaves.

‘Kingsize’ will appreciate some morning sun and perform well in large containers or a slightly wet area near a pond or driveway run-off with well-draining soil. Lavender blooms appear in mid to late summer and attract bees. The growth rate is uniquely fast for a giant variety. 

Pro tip: If you have deer pressure in your area, use natural deterrent methods to keep them away. Deer find hostas very delicious! 

‘Frost Giant’

	botanical name Hosta plantaginea ‘Frost Giant’
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height 28 inches
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

‘Frost Giant’ is eye-catching and bright, sure to be a showstopper in your garden. It’s a cross between ‘Galaxy’, featuring huge, lightly blue-green leaves and bright yellow margins. The flowers are white and appear in June. 

Ensure the soil is well-draining and doesn’t become soggy. Fertilize lightly in the spring, avoiding the leaves. Choose something well-balanced and slow-release. 

Hostas tend to grow larger in colder regions in cooler temperatures and longer winters. Provide more shade and water the further south you are growing hostas for peak performance. 

‘Jurassic Park’

	botanical name Hosta plantaginea ‘Jurassic Park’
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 48 to 50 inches
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

When I think of hosta, this variety comes to mind. Its leaves are light to medium green and perfectly corrugated, and its flowers are lavender. The fragrant flowers appear in early to late summer and are known to last longer than others. 

Add these low-maintenance plants along the drip line of your home in an area that receives little to no sun. They’ll suppress weeds, they’re super hardy, and as a bonus, you can split them every few years to create new, free plants right in your backyard. 

While most hostas prefer little to no shade, ‘Jurassic Park’ does well with strong morning, with filtered shade the rest of the day. 

‘Frank Lloyd Wright’ 

	botanical name Hosta plantaginea ‘Frank Lloyd Wright’
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 30 inches
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

The massive leaves of ‘Frank Lloyd Wright’ cup heavily, but their tapered tips arch uniquely downward. The color is classic dark blue-green, and corrugation is plenty. When fully mature, the plant forms a big mound. This hybrid comes from ‘Outrageous’, a very showy, striped variety. 

The petioles are extremely erect and can be seen when looking at the plan straight on, forming a vase-like appearance. Show it off by planting it in mass, central in a shade or cottage garden, or alongside smaller hosta varieties. 

Nearly white flowers appear in mid-summer. Named, of course, for the famous architect, this hybrid is unique and interesting. 

‘Drop-Dead Gorgeous’

	botanical name Hosta plantaginea ‘Drop-Dead Gorgeous’
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 2 to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

‘Drop Dead Gorgeous’ makes a great standalone plant, forming huge clumps with green, rippled leaves with bright yellow margins. Heavy rippling makes the leaves appear wavy. White flowers bloom in midsummer on tall scapes, but the real star of the show is the showy foliage. According to the name, it’s drop-dead gorgeous! 

This giant variety has fast growth and grows best in partial to full shade in moist but not soggy, well-draining soil. 

Filtered or dappled morning sun will intensify the leaf color variations. Plant it where it’s protected from strong winds. 

‘1st and Ten’

	botanical name Hosta plantaginea ‘1st and Ten’
	sun requirements Partial shade
	height Up to 3 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

In need of a tall plant to round out your cottage garden? ‘1st and Ten’ makes the perfect central plant with its solid dark blue-green leaves that feature clear veining, a flattened spade shape, and a sharp tip. The plant grows upright. 

This variety was registered in 2013, bred from the unpopular ‘Brutus’ by Doug Beilstein. The flowers are the classic lavender shade and bloom in the summer. 

Pro tip: Cut back blooms after they’re spent to encourage new plant growth. Keep the garden clear of any plant debris after pruning. 

‘Coast to Coast’

	botanical name Hosta plantaginea ‘Coast to Coast’
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 30 inches
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

Make way for the 2020 Proven Winners National Hosta of the Year®! This striking giant hosta is part of Walters Gardens, Inc. Shadowland® Collection. It boasts golden-green foliage that becomes brighter in the summer sun. The growth rate is medium, fully maturing over a few years. 

The undersides of the leaves are almost white and become thicker with age. Flowers are mostly pale purple but darken a bit at the top of the scapes. They bloom in midsummer and attract hummingbirds.

‘Coast to Coast’ is considered a premium hosta for its ability to perform well across many zones, long seasons, solid leaves, and resistance to pests. 

‘Kim’

	botanical name Hosta plantaginea ‘Kim’
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 31 inches
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

‘Kim’ was registered in 2016 by Charlie Kwick. It grows upright and features medium to dark blue-green sturdy leaves with a thick, waxy coating. The wax fades as the season warms up and the leaves become glossy. 

The most common hosta disease is anthracnose which shows up when humidity levels are high and plants can’t breathe. Look out for irregularly shaped brown spots surrounded by an almost-black circle. Treat with copper fungicide spray as needed. Follow the instructions on the product’s bottle. 

This variety is slug resistant. Pale purple flowers bloom in June. The spread is just over four feet. 

‘When I Dream’

	botanical name Hosta plantaginea ‘When I Dream’
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 28 inches
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

This variety has extremely unique variegations, ranging from creamy yellow to medium green to dark green, with some leaves separated by a chartreuse stripe. ‘When I Dream’ is sure to be a conversation starter. 

Its growth habit is mounded and the flowers bloom in early to mid-summer. Provide organic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Loamy soil is preferred over clay so the roots can properly breathe. 

Morning sun is tolerated, but caution should be taken in areas with harsh afternoon sun. If leaves begin to show sun scorch, consider moving them to a shady border. 

‘Big Daddy’ 

	botanical name Hosta plantaginea ‘Big Daddy’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

While the growth rate is slow, its beautiful, dark blue-green foliage makes up for it, and plants will perform for many years. If these leaves remind you of giant plantain, you’re not far off; they’re cousins! This variety performs well in the canopy of larger trees and in containers positioned on covered patios or urban balconies. 

Who says you can’t have color in a shady garden? Pair ‘Big Daddy’ with a gorgeous coleus, astilbe, or as the backdrop of impatiens. Just leave enough space for its up to four-foot spread. This variety is more slug-resistant than most.

Pro tip: Most hostas require about 40 days of at least 40°F (4°C) for proper dormancy. Cut out old and damaged foliage before new growth begins in the spring and remove debris from the garden. 

‘T Rex’

	botanical name Hosta plantaginea ‘T Rex’
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 30 inches
	hardiness zones 3 to 8

Another classic-looking hosta, ‘T Rex’ has subtle, slightly waved, matte medium green leaves and a low-growing habit. Just like the ancient dinosaur, ‘T Rex’ gets big. Its leaves can measure up to 18 inches long and 14 inches wide, often flopping over. The white flowers bloom in early summer on tall scapes. 

This variety can tolerate some early morning sun but prefers mostly shade. Take advantage of their ability to help prevent erosion. 

Pro tip: Protect plants from slug and snail damage, especially when they’re young. While mulch may help retain moisture, it also provides an ideal place for slugs to hide. 

‘Empress Wu’ 

	botanical name Hosta plantaginea ‘Empress Wu’
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 3 to 4 feet
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

This is another member of Walters Gardens, Inc. Shadowland® Collection and to date, is the largest known hosta on the market. ‘Empress Wu’ can spread up to eight feet and features deeply-veined green leaves that can grow to 28 inches long by 25 inches wide. 

Grow it in containers or as a statement piece in your shady landscape. The pale flowers are reddish violet and bloom in early summer. Northern growers can allow a small amount of morning sun, but it should be kept out of direct, harsh sun at all costs. 

‘Empress Wu’ requires consistent, ample water for its massive leaves. While most hostas are drought-resistant once established, pay close attention to this one as it needs quite a bit more water than most others. 

‘Lakeside Maverick’

	botanical name Hosta plantaginea ‘Lakeside Maverick’
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 36 inches
	hardiness zones 3 to 9

Glossy, medium-green, waxy, wavy, veined-what more could you want from a hosta? ‘Lakeside Maverick’ is up there among the largest of the giant varieties with big, heart-shaped leaves and a fast growth rate. 

It can spread up to seven feet. Full maturity takes about three to five years. 

If rabbits are prevalent in your garden, take precautions and do what you can to keep them away. Rabbits find hostas to be very delicious.