Our large selection of hostas continues to attract many customers. So what were the top hosta varieties this year? Here is our list of the top 5 varieties of hostas that were sold in 2023. ‘Silly String’ is at the top, followed by ‘Praying Hands’, ‘Island Breeze’, ‘Autumn Frost’, and ‘Forbidden Fruit’. Read more about each of the top hostas below!
1. ‘Silly String’ is a unique hosta with narrow blue leaves and intensely wavy margins. The blue color in spring becomes blue-green in summer with purple flowers blooming above the clump. This small hosta grows 14″ tall and 28″ wide. The narrow leaves sway in the breeze like a dancing string. The petite package means it is enjoyed just as much in a container as it is in the garden!
2. ‘Praying Hands’ gets its name from upright, narrow leaves that are folded into a tubular shape. Leaves are dark green with thin, creamy margins and grow into a very upright clump. This unique hosta was Hosta of the Year in 2011. Categorized as a medium hosta, ‘Praying Hands’ grows 16” tall and up to 30” wide. Lavender flowers appear above the foliage in late summer.
3. ‘Island Breeze’ is a sport of ‘Paradise Island’ with better variegation and leaf substance. The wide, green margins contrast with bright yellow centers in spring. The centers may become more chartreuse in shade but can get even lighter yellow if provided some sun. The leaves are held on showy red petioles. ‘Island Breeze’ grows 12″ tall and 18″ wide. Purplish lavender flowers in summer make this hosta even better. ‘Island Breeze’ was the 2022 Hosta of the Year!
4. ‘Autumn Frost’ is a sport of the 2010 AHGA Hosta of the Year, ‘First Frost’, which in turn is a sport of the champion of blue hostas, ‘Halcyon’. ‘Autumn Frost’ is a showier version of ‘First Frost’, displaying extra wide margins. The leaves emerge frosty blue with a bright yellow margin that lightens to creamy white during the summer. It forms a medium sized mound (approx. 15″ tall and 30″ wide) topped with light lavender flowers in mid to late summer.
5. ‘Forbidden Fruit’ is a showy tetraploid sport of ‘Orange Marmalade’ with thicker leaves and wider blue-green margins. The yellow-orange centers in spring turn nearly white late in the season. The colors are brightest if grown in some sun. This medium hosta grows 18″ tall x 30″ wide with lavender flowers in summer. ‘Forbidden Fruit’ is one gorgeous hosta!
We resume shipping hostas in mid-April. Visit our online shop to start making your list now! Read about our top selling perennials and trees & shrubs on our Hornbaker Highlights web page.