Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
First Frost Hosta: Blue Leaves With Margins That Turn White
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First Frost hosta has pointed, heart-shaped leaves with intense blue-green centers and margins that open gold in spring and turn pure white as the season goes on. The foliage holds up well all season, right until the first frost, which suits the name. In midsummer, stems about 28 inches tall carry light lavender bell flowers.
It was named Hosta of the Year in 2010 and holds the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It needs richer, moister soil and more shade than lavender, so it belongs on the shady side of your property.
First Frost at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Hosta 'First Frost' |
| Foliage | Blue-green with margins that open gold and turn white |
| Flowers | Light lavender bells on stems about 28 inches |
| Bloom | Starts early July, peaks mid-July |
| Size | About 16 inches tall, 36 inches wide |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 9 |
| Light | Part shade to full shade |
| Deer | Susceptible |
Cool blue for a shaded corner
Blue hostas bring the same cool, calm feeling to shade that silver lavender foliage brings to a sunny bed. First Frost adds a twist: its margins shift from gold in spring to crisp white by summer, so the plant looks different through the season. Place it on the north side of the house or under a tree canopy, where a lavender plant would sulk.
It pairs nicely with ferns, gold-leaved shade plants and dark coral bells. The light lavender flowers in July even echo the lavender blooming out in the sun at the same time. Keep both zones in view with the Companion Plant Planner.
Keeping the blue
The blue color on hosta leaves comes from a waxy coating that wears off with heat, hard rain and strong sun. Morning sun is fine, but afternoon shade keeps First Frost bluer for longer. Avoid overhead watering in the heat of the day.
Planting and care
- Soil: evenly moist, humus-rich and well-drained; not waterlogged in winter.
- Water: during dry spells. Hot, dry sites can scorch the leaves.
- Spacing: about 3 feet wide at maturity.
- Slugs: the main pest in damp springs; keep mulch thin near the crown.
- Fall: cut the foliage down after a hard frost.
- Dividing: split crowded clumps in spring as shoots appear.
About the plug tray
First Frost is offered as a 72-cell plug tray, a good fit for growers and for edging or mass planting a shade bed. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Why did my margins change from yellow to white?
That is normal for First Frost. The margins open gold in spring and turn white as the season progresses.
Can I plant it with lavender?
Not in the same bed. It needs shade and moist soil, while lavender needs sun and dry, lean soil.
Does it work in containers?
Yes. Its medium size suits a large pot in a shaded spot.
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