Use & Care NotesCompanion Plants
High Society Hosta: A Small Blue-Rimmed Hosta for Shady Edges
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High Society hosta is a small, tidy hosta with pointed, heart-shaped leaves: a yellow center that softens to a creamy parchment by midsummer, framed by a wide blue margin. It grows slowly into a neat clump about 8 inches tall and 15 inches wide, and pale lavender bells open just above it in August.
Let us be honest up front: this is a shade plant, and lavender is a sun plant. They will never share a bed. What High Society does is give the shady parts of the same property a cool blue-and-cream echo of the lavender out front.
High Society at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Hosta 'High Society' |
| Foliage | Yellow center lightening to parchment, wide blue margin |
| Flowers | Pale lavender bells on stems about 10 to 12 inches tall |
| Size | About 8 inches tall, 15 inches wide |
| Bloom | Early to mid-August, single flush |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3-9 |
| Light | Part shade to full shade |
| Deer | Susceptible; deer like hostas |
Where it fits in a lavender garden plan
Think of your property in two zones. The sunny, well-drained ground goes to lavender. The north side of the house, the strip under a maple, or a shaded patio is where High Society earns its keep. Its pale lavender August flowers are a small nod back to the lavender beds, and its blue margins pick up the silver-blue tone of lavender foliage from across the yard.
Because it stays so small, it is ideal along a shaded walkway that leads out toward the sunny beds. Map both areas in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Light: morning sun or bright, filtered shade gives the best color. Hot afternoon sun can scorch the pale centers.
- Soil: evenly moist, rich in organic matter and well drained. Water during dry spells.
- Slugs: its thick leaves resist slug damage better than most small hostas, but check in wet springs.
- Fall: cut the foliage down after a hard frost to clear out slug eggs and debris.
- Dividing: it grows slowly, so division is rarely needed. When it is, do it in spring as shoots appear.
Containers and edging
A small hosta like this is one of the easiest container plants for shade. A wide pot on a shaded step shows off the margins up close, and you can control the soil moisture. In the ground, plant a short row as a living edge along a shaded bed.
Buying a 20-cell plug tray
High Society is offered as a 20-cell plug tray, a good fit for edging a long shaded border or potting up your own plants. See the product page for current availability, and growers planting in quantity can look at the Wholesale Hub.
Frequently asked questions
Can I plant it right next to my lavender?
No. Lavender needs full sun and dry roots; High Society needs shade and steady moisture. Give each its own spot.
Is it safe around pets?
Hosta foliage is listed as toxic to dogs and cats, so place it where pets are not tempted to chew.
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