Hosta Big Daddy (Plantain Lily)

One of the best large blue hostas, Hosta ‘Big Daddy’ (Plantain Lily) is a clump-forming perennial forming an attractive mound of large, thick, rounded, chalky blue leaves, up to 10 in. long (25 cm), becoming cupped and deeply-puckered when mature. Bell-shaped, near-white blooms appear in summer, rising on blue scapes 24 in. long (60 cm), but the primary contribution of this hosta is its lovely foliage.

One of the best large blue hostas, Hosta 'Big Daddy' (Plantain Lily) is a clump-forming perennial forming an attractive mound of large, thick, rounded, chalky blue leaves, up to 10 in. long (25 cm), becoming cupped and deeply-puckered when mature. Bell-shaped, near-white blooms appear in summer, rising on blue scapes 24 in. long (60 cm), but the primary contribution of this hosta is its lovely foliage. This cultivar retains its extraordinary blue leaf color in a well-shaded site for most of the season, becoming less blue in brighter light. Very slow-growing, the heavy substance of the leaves helps to make this hosta more slug resistant.

  • Grows 24 in. tall (60 cm) and 36 in. wide (90 cm).
  • Performs best in part shade in fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Shelter from cold, dry winds.`
  • Perfect for the shade garden, mixed with other perennials in bed and borders, city gardens, cottage gardens or underplanting shrubs and roses.
  • Watch for slugs and snails which could damage the attractive foliage.
  • Cut off the stems after blooming to encourage the plant's growth. Discolored leaves should be trimmed back to the ground.
  • Propagate by division in early spring or late summer.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.

Requirements

Hardiness 3
– 9

Heat Zones 2
– 9

Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Hosta – Plantain Lilies
Exposure Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)Fall
Height 1'
– 2'
(30cm
– 60cm)
Spread 2'
– 3'
(60cm
– 90cm)
Spacing 36″ (90cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Underplanting Roses and Shrubs
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden