Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Francee Hosta: Crisp White Edges for Shady Paths and Pots
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Francee hosta is a classic, fast-growing hosta with medium to dark green, slightly glossy, heart-shaped leaves outlined by a narrow, clean white margin. It forms a wide, low mound about 14 inches tall and 3 feet across, and its variegation holds up well even with some sun. Lavender flowers rise on 30-inch stems from mid to late summer.
It has earned many hosta society awards and the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It still wants shade and steady moisture, so plant it in a shaded bed away from the lavender, with ferns, astilbe or coral bells.
Francee at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Hosta 'Francee' |
| Foliage | Medium to dark green, slightly glossy, narrow crisp white margin |
| Flowers | Lavender bells on stems about 30 inches |
| Bloom | Starts mid-July, peaks early August |
| Size | About 14 inches tall, 36 inches wide |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 9 |
| Light | Part shade to full shade; tolerates some sun |
| Deer | Susceptible |
Edging the shady side of the garden
Francee's low, wide shape and clean white outline make it one of the best hostas for edging. A row along a shaded walk gives a crisp, finished line, the way a border of compact lavender edges a sunny path. Because it tolerates a bit more sun than many hostas, it is also handy where shade is patchy, such as a bed that gets bright morning light.
It should still stay out of the lavender bed. Hostas want moist, rich soil, and lavender wants dry, lean ground. Use Francee to tie the two halves of a property together visually: white edges in the shade, silver foliage in the sun. Sketch both zones in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Soil: evenly moist, humus-rich and well-drained; not waterlogged in winter.
- Light: shade from hot afternoon sun to prevent scorch.
- Water: during dry spells.
- Slugs: check in damp springs and keep mulch thin near the crown.
- Fall: cut the foliage down after a hard frost.
- Dividing: it grows quickly, so divide crowded clumps in spring as shoots appear. It is an easy way to get more edging plants.
Containers and mass plantings
Francee is a reliable container hosta, and its white margins look sharp in a dark pot on a shaded patio. In mass plantings under trees, a sweep of Francee reads as a calm green-and-white groundcover. The lavender-colored flowers in midsummer are a small bonus that bees visit.
Plug tray or bare root
Francee is offered as a 72-cell plug tray for growers and large edging projects, and as a bare root plant for home gardens. See each product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Can Francee take sun?
It tolerates more sun than many hostas and its variegation holds up, but afternoon shade and steady moisture keep it looking its best.
How fast does it grow?
It is a fast grower that fills out quickly into a wide, low mound.
Is it hardy in Michigan?
Fully. It is rated for zones 3 to 9 and needs winter cold to rest.
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