Dwarf Hosta Varieties

Blue Dwarfs

• One of the most popular blue dwarf hostas include the variety "Blue Mouse Ears," which looks much like it sounds. Small, round, semi-upright blue leaves stand high on stalks reminiscent of a mushroom. The "Twilight Time" hosta variety forms small, dense mounds with deep blue-green, pointed and ruffled leaves. The ruffling gives this dwarf hosta the appearance of movement. "Blue Moon," "Blue Silver" and "Blue Ice"are both dwarf blue varieties of hosta with a chalky-appearing surface. Blue Moon has more heart-shaped leaves while Blue Silver has wedge-shaped leaves.

Medium Green Dwarfs

• There are fewer medium green dwarf hosta varieties than other dwarfs because breeders have focused on unusual characteristics such as wavy leaves and variegation; however, a few are available. "Baby Bunting" is one medium green variety of hosta that has more elongated leaves and a dense mounding habit. Horticultural grower Deckert developed the variety "Green Mouse Ears" in 2004 from a sport of "Blue Mouse Ears" and both resemble each other except for their respective colors.

Lime Green Dwarfs

• Dwarf hosta variety "Hydon Sunset" has pointed lime green leaves that cascade like a tiny green waterfall, while the variety "Bitsy Gold" has unusual, sparse, nearly strap-like light-green leaves. "Cheatin Heart" is a lime green dwarf hosta with heart-shaped leaves that turn orange-gold in full sun. Two more chartreuse-leaved dwarf hostas with some added variation to the leaves are "Little Aurora," whose leaves appear puckered, and "Chartreuse Wiggles," which has wavy leaves.

Variegated

• "Fantasy Island" hosta has a brilliant white interior and green edgings. "Hope" a variety developed by Hansen in 1999 sports an unusual gold edge. Hosta variety "Peanut" developed by Schwarz in 2002 is another white-center hosta with a green edge but with a crinkled appearance to its leaves. "Cracker Crumbs" is a brilliant yellow hosta with dark green edging, presenting a striking appearance in the deep shade. "Cat's Eyes," "Green Eyes," "Medusa," "Pandora's Box," "Surprised by Joy" and "Masquerade" are all varieties of hosta with a light interior and a darker margin. "Cherish," which was developed from Baby Bunting, has leaves bright yellow leaves with a blue-green margin.