Hosta 'Whirlwind' Plantain Lily

Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit; American Hosta Society Best Variegated Hosta in a Garden Award 1992

Hosta 'Whirlwind' is a shade-loving perennial that grows to a compact 18 inches tall and 35 inches wide. Its standout feature is its twisted, heart-shaped leaves with bold dark edges and creamy centers that shift from lime green to dark green throughout the season. The wavy foliage creates visual interest, while pale lavender trumpet-shaped blooms appear on tall scapes in early to late summer, drawing in hummingbirds and butterflies. These elegant flowers also add a delicate touch to mixed floral arrangements.

A member of the Hosta undulata family, or plantain lily, 'Whirlwind' is hardy in Zones 3-9 and thrives in shaded environments. Its symmetrical, mounding growth habit makes it an excellent ground cover when massed or used in drifts throughout the garden. It's equally at home in borders, foundation plantings, containers, or woodland gardens. Paired with spring bulbs, it offers a seamless transition of foliage as bulb greenery fades.

'Whirlwind' is remarkably low maintenance, requiring only dappled to full shade, consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil, and neutral to slightly acidic pH. Regular watering ensures its lush appearance, while an annual application of slow-release fertilizer keeps it thriving season after season.

Plant Hosta 'Whirlwind' roots in spring, spacing them 35 inches apart and planting them 1½ to 2 inches deep for optimal growth.