The latest wave in the hosta craze, miniatures, make the perfect addition to your Victorian Fairy Garden and for the smaller modern garden. they are just the right fit, never outgrowing their space. These little gems are sure to delight, so cute and no cheese required!

Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears'

Blue Mouse Ears is an adorable miniature hosta with thick, rounded blue to gray green leaves that form a perfect mound. Short scapes of lavender flowers appear in mid-summer. Flower beds swell like balloons before opening. It is a perfect plant for a rock garden, container or shaded small garden. Prefers shade to part shade in well drained soil. Height: 15-20cm Spread: 30-50cm. Zone 3

Hosta 'Frosted Mouse Ears'

Frosted Mouse Ears is another in the mouse series. It is a sport of 'Royal Mouse Ears' with very thick, round blue-green leaves with a wide frosted green margin that ages to creamy white later in the season. Lavender flowers appear on short scapes. A slow grower that is ideally suited for a trough or small container. Height: 15-20cm, Spread: 30-50cm. Hardy to Zone 3.

Hosta 'Mighty Mouse'

Might Mouse Hosta is a variegated sport of 'Blue Mouse Ears' with very stiff, rounded leaves. Its foliage is slightly blue-green with pale yellow margins aging to creamy white by summer. Its perfectly proportioned scapes hold purple flowers. First introduced by Walters Gardens in 2009. Best grown in part shade in average, to well drained soil. Grows 15-20cm hight and 30-50cm across. Hardy to Zone 3.

Hosta 'Funny Mouse'

Funny Mouse is a charming sport of 'Blue Mouse Ears' having ovate leaves of blue-green with wide white edges that turn to creamy white and finally pale green. Very cute! Short scapes of lavender flowers appear in summer. It is a reverse variegation of 'Snow Mouse'. Great in part shade in average, well drained soil. Grows 15-20cm in height and 30-50cm across. Hardy to Zone 3.

Hosta 'Holy Mouse Ears'

Holy Mouse Ears is a slow grower with very thick, round, blue-green leaves with yellow-green centres that become more creamy white by summer. A real little cutie!. This one has short scapes of purple flowers borne in dense clusters. It is considered one of the best, white-centered forms. Best grown in part shade in average, well drained soil. Grows to 15-20cm in height and 30-50cm across. Hardy in Zone 3.

Hosta 'Giantland Sunny Mouse Ears'

Giantland Sunny Mouse Ears is the first, gold-leaved hybrid in the mouse series with very thick, rounded leaves, golden yellow to chartreuse colours. Slowly forms a neat, rounded mound. Develops short scapes of lavender flowers in mid-summer. Its heritage is a hybrid between 'Blue Mouse Ears' and 'Abiqua Drinking Gourd'. Best grown in part shade in average, well drained soil. Grows 15-20cm in height and 30-50cm across. Hardy to zone 3.

Hosta 'Gold Chip'

Wihle 'Gold Chip' is not a member of the Mouse series it is a small, slow growing cultivar with bright gold, heart shaped, slightly wavy leaves of thick substance. This Tardiana type has a dense mounding habit and good colouration throughout the season. Tall 60cm scapes bear dense clusters of near-white flowers in July. Best grown in partial shade. Foliage grows 25-30cm in height and spreads 75-100cm across. Hardy to Zone 3.

Hosta ' Harkaways Mini Gold'

This superb dwarf hosta is zippy and vigorous with narrow, ovate, slightly wavy, golden yellow leaves. A sun tolerant hosta that has best colouring when grown in half-day sun. Masses of ultramarine violet flowers appear in July. A Harkaway Botanicals introduction registered with AHS in 2011. Grows 15-20cm in height and 45-60cm across. Hardy to Zone 3.

As always, call Arts Nursery in advance to confirm availability. Our selection is always changing and quantities may be limited. If you have any questions about miniature hostas or hostas in general, drop by in person or give us a call at 604.882.1201

I have written about hosta (Plantain Lily) before but I cannot emphasize enough how wonderfully versatile these perennials can be.  A garden is not a garden without a hosta and even in these days of shrinking lots, decks and balconies the humble hosta comes to the rescue.

From tiny little dwarf forms like 'Blue Mouse Ears' to the titanic ....well "Titanic'!, there is a hosta to fit just about any location.  I have long grown hosta in containers as they are just about fool proof and so hardy they can be left out without fear of losing them over winter.  I even drove across Canada during one of the worst winter's in 66 years with several hosta in my trunk.  My stopover in Wawa Ontario got down to below -50, the hosta were fine but the antifreeze in the engine froze!!!

So before you pooh-pooh the hosta as being just a common perennial, stop and take a closer look - you just may be surprised at the diversity and selection there is available out there now.

Hosta ‘Blue Ivory’

WOW, an absolutely stunning hosta!  This sport of ‘Halcyon’ has ice blue leaves with a broad, clean ivory-white border.  Forms a medium size mound of thick, slug resistant leaves that hold well into fall.  Tall scapes (flower stalks) of lavender flowers appear in midsummer.

Height:  45cm  Spread:  75cm   Zone:  3

Hosta ‘Blue Mouse Ears’

Adorable miniature hosta with slightly cupped, round blue-green leaves resembling little mouse ears.  Lavender flowers in midsummer.  Plants have good substance and form perfect, tight little mounds.  ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ makes an excellent container or rockery specimen.

Height:  15-20cm  Spread:  30cm  Zone:  3

Hosta ‘El Nino’

One of my absolute favorite hosta's, a sport of ‘Halcyon’ it retains the thick, ribbed chalky blue leaves but with an added pure white margin.  This “must have” hosta is simply stunning and forms an elegant mound with scapes of lavender blue flowers in midsummer, very slug resistant.

Height:  40-50cm  Spread:  60cm  Zone:  3

Hosta ‘Fire Island’

A bright and fresh looking hosta with round, pointed leaves that are a brilliant golden yellow in spring becoming chartreuse by summer, for added interest the leaf petioles and scapes are a contrasting purple-red.  The perfect specimen to bring some "living sunshine" into the shade garden; pale lavender flowers in summer.

Height:  30-40cm  Spread:  60-75cm  Zone:  3

Hosta ‘Great Expectations’

Stunning selection having broadly ovate leaves that are thick and puckered with a wide irregular blue green margin around a bold golden-yellow center which changes to creamy white by summer.  Very slow grower that may take several years to establish- but worth the wait.  Near white flowers in June.

Height:  50-70cm  Spread:  1-1.25m Zone:  3

Hosta ‘Hadspen Blue’

Powdery steel blue leaves that hold their colour all summer set this hosta apart as being one of the best blue forms ever.  Foliage is thick and cupped with heavy texture which = slug resistance.  Plants will form a nice rounded mound and sport tall scapes of pale lavender flowers midsummer.

Height:  40-50cm  Spread:  60-75cm Zone:  3

Hosta ‘Loyalist’

Reverse sport of ‘Patriot’ with leaves that have a deep green margin with a pure white center that is not prone to melting out.  Leaves have a heavy substance which affords them greater slug resistance.  Plants form a neat mound.  In summer creamy white scapes sport pale lavender flowers. Height:  40-50cm  Spread:  60-75cm Zone:  3

Hosta ‘Stained Glass’

Superb sun tolerant hosta that will form a mound of wavy, corrugated, heart-shaped, leaves.  Colour is chartreuse to golden yellow (some direct sun will bring out more gold) with an irregular dark green border.  Slightly fragrant pale mauve flowers, 2006 Hosta of the Year. Height:  50cm  Spread:  90-120cm  Zone:  3

Hosta ‘Touch of Class’

Specimen type hosta having very thick pointed leaves of powdery blue-green with a pale yellow center streak.  Plants are very sturdy and form low mounds, pale lavender flowers in July.  A sport of 'June' that is very classy indeed. Height:  40-60cm  Spread:  60-75cm Zone:  3

* Photography courtesy of HarkAway Botanicals

All of these Hostas and many others are generally available at Art's Nursery. As always, please call in advance to confirm availability as our stock changes frequently.

When it comes to Hostas, no quantity is too much. Some people collect stamps, others collect cars, and gardeners collect Hostas. There are Hostas for every shade garden; blue ones, yellow ones, green ones, striped ones, variegated ones, monsterous ones and even tiny little miniature ones. That’s today’s topic: Four petite little hostas that are sure to draw oohs and aahs.. These little treasures are ideal for use as an accent in the shade garden or as a treasure for your containers.

Like all hostas, these plants prefer shade to part shade in moist, but well drained soil. They don’t need too much food, but an application of balanced fertilizer in early spring will get them growing well. The toughest part of growing Hostas is protecting them from turning into salad for slugs and snails. There is no simple solution – this is a battle of attrition folks - use all available weapons! The list would include slug beer traps, slug bait, copper strips and even diatomaceous earth. Once you’ve steeled yourself to the harsh reality of growing hostas, here are four darling little hostas to try.

Hosta ‘Trifecta’

Trifecta is miniature hosta with foliage that is a couple of shades of light green with a white central blotch. Its pale-lavender flowers bloom in mid to late summer. Forms a low mound and is somewhat drought tolerant once established. Best in shade or part shade. Grows 6 inches high and up to 12 inches across.

Hosta ‘Harkaway Mini Gold’

This locally grown selection features elongated, rounded leaves in shades of golden yellow. Vigorous grower. Can be used in shade gardens, containers or even as a groundcover. Early summer produces dainty lavender flowers. Tolerates a fair degree of sun, although best in part shade. Grows 5-8 inches in height and 10-12 inches across. Hardy to zone 3.

Hosta ‘Blue Mouse Ears’

This miniature little hosta has thick blue-green leaves. Foliage is vaguely round drawing a comparison to mouse ears. Grows 8-10 inches in height. Best grown in shade or part shade. Perfect for rock gardens and containers.

Hosta ‘Little Sunspot’

Little Sunspot Hosta forms a sturdt mound of foliage, topped with lily-like, pale lavender blooms in early to mid-summer. Foliage is golden yellow, boldly edged in deep green.  Excellent hosta for edging, mix containers and shade gardens. Grows 12-14 inches in height and 1-2 ft in spread.

Like all hostas, these varieties die back in the fall and winter, then they remerge the following spring. P.S: we have lots of slug solutions for you too! :)

If you have questions about these or any hostas, please feel free to drop by and visit us at Arts Nursery, or call 604.882.1201 during business hours. Always call ahead to confirm availability as our selection and stock is always changing