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Blue Mouse Ears hosta

The Blue Mouse Ears Hosta is a miniature hosta variety known for its dusky rounded blue leaves and tiny full-grown size. Discovered in Maryland, the thick leaves are only about 2″-3″ long. These plants grow to a maximum width of about a foot and are often no more than 6″ high. Blue Mouse Ears hostas make wonderful edging plants and are very versatile in low-maintenance landscaping.

Blue Mouse Ears hosta basics

The Blue Mouse Ears hosta was introduced by Emile and Jane Deckert of Maryland and released in 2000. The original plant was a naturally occurring mutation “sport” of a Blue Cadet hosta plant (a Florence Shaw hybrid) found in a tissue culture order. Blue Mouse Ears was named 2008 Hosta of the Year by the American Hosta Growers Association and went on to receive the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit in 2012.

A Blue Mouse Ears hosta plant is usually about 10-12 inches wide and 6-8 inches tall. Each leaf is about 2-3 inches long and wide. The bell-shaped striped purple flowers bloom on 9-10 inch tall stalks. Multiple plants should be spaced about 12 inches apart. This plant fits really well in smaller gardens or compact planter pots.

Blue Mouse Ears hostas have rubbery leaves that unfurl in a heart or round shape. In some cases, they may curl inwards on the edges like a mouse’s ear. The color of these leaves can range from greys to greens to blues.

“It was an odd individual that he received in an order of H. ‘Blue Cadet’ tissue culture. He planted it out and forgot about it for several years. Finding that the slugs ignored it, that it developed a mound-like growth habit, thick leaves and attractive flowers, he concluded it should be named. At a glance, he thought the newly unfurling spring leaves resembled the round east of a little mouse, hence ‘Blue Mouse Ears’.”

In Memory: Emile Antoine Deckert, 1922-2011, from Society News, Azalea Society of America
New hosta in planter pot at garden center

Planting Blue Mouse Ears hosta

Hostas are easy to plant. They’re most commonly planted in the spring. Start with either a bare-root hosta or a potted plant from the nursery. This variety is a favorite and you should be able to find it (or order it in) at most garden centers.

Blue Mouse Ears hosta does best with just a bit of sun. Try to site it in a location that receives morning sun (especially in cooler climates), but be sure to shield it from harsh afternoon rays. It also does very well in light shade where ambient light is available.

Planting blue mouse ears

Dig a hole that’s about twice as wide as the planter pot (or the hosta roots for a bare root hosta). You can add starter fertilizer to the hole if you like, but it’s generally fine to backfill with the soil that came out of the hole. Water thoroughly after planting. Here’s a detailed article all about how to plant hostas.

Plant care for Blue Mouse Ears hosta

Caring for established hostas involves simple steps to ensure they thrive. In the spring, trim off the old leaves and remove any plant debris from around the hostas. This is not only to keep the garden looking tidy, but also to minimize the habitat for pests and diseases.

Next, check the soil moisture. As soon as the ground is thawed (if it was frozen over the winter), water the hostas deeply if the soil is at all dry. The water should drain nicely into the soil, not puddle on top of the soil for extended periods.

If your hostas have been in the ground for 5-10 years and are become crowded, spring can be a good time to divide them. Here’s a guide all about dividing your hostas.

Spring is also a good time to apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. You can use one for perennial plants, evergreen plants, lawns, or even just an all-purpose fertilizer.

After watering, you can add a fresh layer of organic mulch to the soil, such as composted yard waste trimmings or bark mulch. This will help the soil stay moist and will also keep weeds down.

Watch for pests as the season progresses. Look out for slugs and snails, which will likely target other hostas first but may well go after your blue varieties like Blue Mouse Ears plants. Deer can also feast on hostas if they come across them.

Buying new hostas
Blue cadet

Similar hostas to Blue Mouse Ears hosta

Here are some similar hosta plants to the famous Blue Mouse Ears hosta:

  • Blue Cadet hosta
  • Blue Mouse Ears Supreme hosta
  • Baby Bunting hosta
  • Royal Mouse Ears hosta
  • Green Mouse Ears hosta
  • Popo hosta
  • Snow Mouse hosta
  • Mighty Mouse hosta
Mary Jane Duford
Mary Jane Duford

Mary Jane Duford is a quintessential Canadian gardener. An engineer by trade, she tends to an ever-expanding collection of plants. In her world, laughter blooms as freely as her flowers, and every plant is raised with a dash of Canadian grit.

Mary Jane is a certified Master Gardener and also holds a Permaculture Design Certificate. She's also a proud mom of three, teaching her little sprouts the crucial difference between a garden friend and foe.

When she's not playing in the dirt, Mary Jane revels in her love for Taylor Swift, Gilmore Girls, ice hockey, and the surprisingly soothing sounds of bluegrass covers of classic hip-hop songs. She invites you to join her garden party, a place where you can share in the joy of growing and where every day is a new opportunity to find the perfect spot for yet another plant.

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