‘Niagara Falls’ Hosta with dark green Foliage with well-defined veining

Without question, hostas are the most popular perennial for the shade garden. Their lovely foliage provides color, texture and architecture in their garden space from April to a hard autumn frost. They are hardy, long-lived, and relatively maintenance-free.

Hostas range in size from miniature 2 to 3 inches tall types to enormous large leafy clumps 36 or more inches high and broad. Most cultivars grow in shady and semi-shady areas, but a few are sun-tolerant under frequent irrigation. Hostas are also called “plantain lilies” and “funkia”. Their white, lavender, or purple flowers are fragrant. Blooms attract passerby hummingbirds.

The American Hosta Society (AHS) keeps registration records on named cultivars, now numbering over 36,000. AHS members and commercial growers have a voice in selecting the most beautiful and best performing cultivars by region across the U.S. Each year AHS judges award one cultivar their prestigious Benedict Medal.
Benedict Medal winners:
2014 to be announced
2013 First Frost
2012 Niagara Falls
2011 Blue Mouse Ears
2010 Sagae
2009 June
2008 One Man’s Treasure
2007 Whirlwind
2006 Gold Standard

American Hosta Growers choose the Hosta of the Year Award. This outstanding cultivar performs well in most areas of the U.S. and is easy to reproduce. The Hosta of the Year Award is announced two years in advance so that garden centers and nurseries will have plants available for sale.
Hosta of the Year Award winners:
2016 Curly Fries
2015 Victory
2014 Abiqua Drinking Gourd
2013 Rainforest Sunrise
2012 Liberty
2011 Praying Hands
2010 First Frost
2009 Earth Angel
2008 Blue Mouse Ears
2007 Paradigm
2006 Stained Glass
2005 Striptease
2004 Sum and Substance