Variegated hostas are the perfect way to add some visual interest to the shady corners of your yard. These plants have gorgeous foliage with streaked patterns over the surface of each leaf. Some hostas have white variegation, while others have green or blue streaks. Here are the prettiest variegated hosta varieties to consider for your yard.
1. Patriot hosta
Patriot hosta is one of the most popular hostas in the world. This medium-sized hosta has dark green leaves with wide, white edges. Patriot is perfect for planting at the front of a border garden, along a woodland path, or even growing in a container.
One of the reasons you can find ‘Patriot’ at almost every garden center is because it is so easy to grow in a number of different climates and environments. This cultivar is also popular with hosta breeders and has been used in the development of some other favorites on this list.
2. Fire and Ice hosta
‘Fire and Ice’ is another very popular variety. This medium-sized variegated hosta is a reverse version of ‘Patriot,’ as it has ivory white leaves with irregular dark green edges. This is one of the most vigorous medio-variegated hosta varieties (especially if the plants get some direct light in the morning).
I found that ‘Fire and Ice’ has the best coloration when it gets only a bit of direct sunlight in the morning. I have mine shielded from midday and afternoon sun now, and the color contrast is much stronger than when it got a little more sunlight around noon. A little sunlight is good for growth, but it can fade the darker perimeters of the leaves.
3. Frances Williams hosta
‘Frances Williams’ is a large variegated hosta with thick blue-green leaves and wide, irregular green-yellow borders. The chartreuse shade of the outer variegation is darker in the shade and more of a yellow lime-green if the plant gets morning sun. The thick yellow edges can burn in hot climates if the plant is not sited in the shade or the plant lacks water.
4. Captain Kirk hosta
‘Captain Kirk’ is another medio-variegated hosta, meaning the lighter variegation is in the center of the leaf rather than along the edges. The center of the leaves of this variety is a lime chartreuse shade, while the outer edges are more of a medium green.
Medio-variegated hostas can be slower-growing than hostas with leaf-edge variegation but are just as lovely in the garden. Give them a bit of morning sun for the best color contrast, but avoid any harsh mid-day and/or afternoon sun.
5. Vulcan hosta
The popular ‘Vulcan’ is a sport mutation of ‘Captain Kirk.’ It’s also one of my absolute favorites! This one is known for the almost pure-white center streaks that decorate the leaves.
Like ‘Fire and ‘Ice,’ you’ll need to shield this one from the sun for the best color contrast. To get the true white center, you almost need a complete lack of direct sunlight. Plant it on the shady side of a building where it won’t get sunbeams hitting the leaves, even when the sun is high.
6. Guacamole hosta
‘Guacamole’ is a lovely variety with green-gold leaves with a dark green edge. The yellow-green leaf center and dark green margin really do resemble an avocado (or even a bright green apple). This variety is also very tolerant of the sun and can typically be grown in full sun in zones 3-9 as long as the plant has enough water.
The Guacamole hosta is an award-winning variety. The American Hosta Growers Association named it the “Hosta of the Year” in 2002. It went on to win the RHS Award of Garden Merit in 2012.
7. Francee hosta
‘Francee’ is another medium-sized hosta with beautiful variegation. Like the Patriot hosta, the leaves of this plant are dark green with white margins that have a ruffled edge. Francee is perfect for growing in mass plantings or as an accent plant in the garden. It’s also quite tolerant of the sun (as long as it gets enough water).
8. June hosta
‘June’ hosta is a medium-sized variety with lime green leaves and dark blue-green edges. The contrast can be subtle in the shade and more pronounced when the plant gets some direct sunlight in the morning. This variety is easy to grow (even in warmer climates) and can also be planted in a pot for an interesting shade container plant.
9. El Niño hosta
‘El Niño’ is an elegant variety with blue-grey leaves that feature skinny white leaf edges. While some hostas have creamy yellow-white variegation, the edges of these leaves are truly pure snow white if the plants don’t get any direct sunlight. These plants form a nice mound of overlapping leaves and are perfect for edging plants or even container plants.
10. American Dream hosta
‘American Dream’ is a light green medium-sized hosta with white-margined leaves. These hosta plants form a nice dense mound of slightly cupped leaves. On established plants, the variegated white edge can be 2 inches wide (or more), making for a striking leaf pattern. Grow a few plants so you can cut some leaves for tropical-inspired bouquets!
11. Earth Angel hosta
‘Earth Angel’ hosta is a very popular variegated version of the classic ‘Blue Angel’ hosta. This is a very large hosta with blue-green leaves that have irregular lime-green and sometimes even yellow margins. The streaked and splashed leaves can look quite a bit like the oceans and forests of the globe. A bit of morning sun or dappled shade can help bring out the variegation.
12. Fantabulous hosta
‘Fantabulous’ is a lovely hosta with narrow, pointed leaves. The center of the leaves is a lovely dark green color, while the edges are an ivory white. The edges of the leaves turn more of a yellow color in warm climates (zones 8-9) or if the plant is getting lots of light.
13. Whirlwind hosta
Whirlwind hosta is a medium-sized plant with thick yellow leaves edged in dark blue-green. The leaves are often streaked, which is highlighted by the upright twisting leaves. This variety is easy to grow and is often planted in large groups as a totally unique groundcover.
14. Border Bandit hosta
‘Border Bandit’ is a small variegated hosta often used at the front of shady border gardens. The leaves are a beautiful blue-green tone (as this variety was bred from Halcyon) with a creamy yellow-white edge. The leaves are a little bit twisted and slightly rippled along the edge.
15. Dancing in the Rain hosta
‘Dancing in the Rain’ is a unique medio-variegated hosta whose leaves are almost entirely an ivory white tone. The edges of the leaves have very dark green-blue irregular streaks and stripes. The thick leaves of this variety are also naturally pest-resistant.
16. Snake Eyes hosta
‘Snake Eyes’ is a specialty hosta with tricolor leaves. The leaves are light green in the middle and dark green on the edges, but there is a thin stripe of white between the two main tones. The long leaves and white streaks really do give this variety an eye-like pattern.
17. Christmas Tree hosta
‘Christmas Tree’ hosta is a large variegated hosta with very thick dark green leaves. The edges of the leaf are almost white, especially if the plant has an hour or two of direct sunlight in the morning (in cooler climates). Mature plants have a conical shape, making this variety somewhat similar to a summertime Christmas tree!
18. Wide Brim hosta
‘Wide Brim’ is a popular medium-sized variety with green-blue leaves and a thick, irregular yellow leaf margin. This variety needs more light than some others to really show off the contrasting colors of the foliage. The leaves look almost tropical in good growing conditions with their sometimes-streaked edges.
19. Frozen Margarita hosta
‘Frozen Margarita’ is a light yellow-green hosta with white-edged leaves. The edges are quite thin and irregular and can turn yellow in bright light. This variety is quite tolerant of the sun as long as it has adequate moisture. This variety is also known for its adaptability as a container plant and for its fragrant blooms.
20. Liberty hosta
‘Liberty’ hosta is a large variety with dark green-blue leaves with wide yellow edges. This plant is known for its gorgeous variegation, with the creamy yellow margins stretching over 2 inches wide on healthy mature plants. The margins tend to start out a cream-yellow color and fade to ivory throughout the season.
21. So Sweet hosta
‘So Sweet’ is a medium-sized variegated variety with fragrant flowers. The dark green leaves have yellow-white borders. Sometimes the leaves have light green streaks running down them. The edges of each leaf are a little bit rippled, showing off the lovely edge tone of this plant.
22. Praying Hands hosta
Praying Hands hosta is a unique specimen plant with thin, twisted upright leaves. The dark green leaves have a very thin yellow edge, highlighting the twists in the foliage. The leaves are almost rolled up and rise upward from the base of the plant, bending outwards toward the tip.
This is a very interesting variegated hosta variety to add to your garden! It almost looks more like an interesting ornamental grass or agave plant than it does a hosta. Plant it in a feature spot, where its certain to be a conversation starter!
23. Queen Josephine hosta
‘Queen Josephine’ is a medium-sized variegated hosta with glossy dark green leaves that have yellow edges. The edges of the leaves turn a glossy ivory white as the season progresses. Queen Josephine is a good variegated hosta to consider if you prefer the look of shiny, glossy leaves.
24. Paradigm
‘Paradigm’ is a large hosta with thick chartreuse leaves that have dark green edges. The leaves are puckered and overlap to create a wide mound of rippled leaves. The thick leaves make this hosta naturally resistant to slugs and snails.
