Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Mini Mix™ Hosta: A Pocket Collection of Tiny Shade Plants
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The Mini Mix™ hosta is a little collection in one tray: an assortment of miniature hostas that stay just 6 to 8 inches tall, in powdery blue-green, solid green, bright gold and green or blue edged in cream. Several have round, mouse-ear shaped leaves. Planted together they make a patchwork of small rosettes, like a quilt sized for a windowsill.
Like every hosta, these are shade plants. They will not share lavender's sunny bed, but they are a fine companion for the shady side of the same garden.
Mini Mix at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Hosta, assorted miniatures |
| Foliage | Small, thick, round to oval; blue-green, green, gold and variegated |
| Flowers | Small lavender or near-white bells on scapes 16 to 20 inches tall |
| Size | 6 to 8 inches tall, 10 to 14 inches wide |
| Bloom | Early to midsummer |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 3 to 9 |
| Light | Part to full shade |
Building a miniature shade garden
Miniature hostas look lost scattered among big plants, and wonderful grouped together. A trough or a wide, shallow container on a shaded porch makes a ready-made stage: mix the gold ones for light, the blues for calm and the variegated ones for sparkle, then add a few small stones or moss. The Mini Mix gives you that variety without hunting down each variety separately.
In the ground, use them where large hostas would crowd the space, such as the front edge of a shady bed or along a narrow path under trees. A lavender planting in full sun across the yard and a miniature hosta trough by the shaded back door make a garden with something for every exposure. Plan both in the Companion Plant Planner.
Care for small hostas
- Soil: rich and humus-heavy, evenly moist but well drained. Miniatures are more sensitive to soggy soil than big hostas.
- Water: water deeply in dry spells, especially the first summer. Containers dry faster than beds.
- Neighbors: keep vigorous groundcovers away, since they can swallow a 6-inch hosta in a season.
- After bloom: cut spent scapes to keep the mounds neat.
- Dividing: split crowded clumps in early spring as shoots emerge.
Formats
The Mini Mix is offered as a full 72-cell plug tray, which suits growers and gardeners planning troughs, fairy gardens or edging in quantity. See the product page for current availability, or the Wholesale Hub for tray orders.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose which varieties are in the mix?
No. It is an assortment of miniature hostas across blue, green, gold and variegated colors, so each tray is a small surprise.
Why are the flower stems so tall for such small plants?
Many miniatures send up scapes well above the leaves. Leave them for the hummingbirds and bees, or snip them if you prefer the foliage alone.
Do they work in fairy gardens?
Yes. Their small size and tidy rosettes make them a natural fit, as long as the container drains well.
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