Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Blue Mouse Ears Hosta: A Miniature Blue Button for Shady Pots
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Blue Mouse Ears hosta is a beloved miniature with thick, almost rubbery round leaves in blue-green to gray-green, each only an inch or two across. It forms a perfectly symmetrical little mound about 8 inches tall and a foot wide. It was named Hosta of the Year in 2008 and holds a Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit.
In midsummer, sideways buds swell like tiny balloons before opening into clusters of lavender bells. Yes, lavender. We noticed.
Blue Mouse Ears at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' |
| Foliage | Thick, round, rubbery, blue-green to gray-green |
| Flowers | Lavender bells on stems about 12 inches tall |
| Size | About 8 inches tall, 12 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts early July, peaks mid-July |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 9 |
| Light | Light to full shade |
| Deer | Susceptible |
Small plant, shady spot
Blue Mouse Ears needs richer, moister soil and far more shade than lavender, so it lives on the other side of the garden plan: the north side of the house, under a tree canopy or along a shaded path. Its gray-blue leaves and lavender-colored flowers make a sweet nod to the lavender beds out in the sun, but the two should never share a bed.
Its tiny size is the whole point. It is ideal for spots where a regular hosta would swallow everything: the front edge of a shade border, between stepping stones in a shady walk, a rock garden pocket or a container on a covered porch. Collectors love it, and it is the parent of many other mouse ears hostas.
Growing it in containers
Blue Mouse Ears is one of the best hostas for pots. Use a quality potting mix in a container with drainage, keep it evenly moist and place it in shade or gentle morning sun. Its thick leaves also resist slugs well for a miniature, which helps in damp spots. In winter, move pots to a sheltered spot or sink them into the ground so the roots are protected; hostas need winter cold to rest.
Care through the year
- Spring: divide crowded clumps as new shoots appear, and watch for slugs in damp weather.
- Summer: water during dry spells. Shade from afternoon sun prevents scorch.
- Fall: cut the foliage down after hard frost and clear collapsed leaves.
- Winter: fully hardy in Michigan; avoid soil that stays waterlogged.
About the plug tray
A 72-cell plug tray of Blue Mouse Ears is a handy way to edge a long shady path, fill a set of containers or grow on starts for gifting. See the product page for current availability and the Wholesale Hub for tray orders.
Frequently asked questions
How big does it get?
About 8 inches tall and 12 inches wide, with flower stems to about 12 inches.
Do deer eat it?
Yes, deer like hostas. Protect it in deer country or keep it close to the house.
Can it take sun?
Light shade is best. Hot afternoon sun can scorch the leaves.
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