Hosta ‘Curly Fries’.
Plant of the Month August 2026
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Hosta of the Year 2016. A chance seedling, introduced in 2008, from the usually sterile Hosta ‘Pineapple Upsidedown Cake’ and an unknown cultivar. It does not look like a Hosta! There are several interesting sports and progeny. ‘Silly String’ looks great!
Life Cycle: Perennial herb.
Leaves: Narrow, undulating leaves, bright yellow-green, with a very reddish small petiole, 14 cm long, x 2 cm wide.The leaves become paler in the late summer.
Bloom Time: July, August in Southern Ontario.
Flower Colour & Size: small lavender bells dropping from a purplish stem. Many gardeners remove them as they detract from the leaves.
Habitat: Garden cultivar, not found in the wild.
CULTIVATION:
Light: Partial shade to full shade. It will grow in full sun with afternoon shade..
Water: Moderate. It dislikes drought, especially when first planted.
Soil: Average, well drained organic soils, well mulched.
USDA Hardiness: Zones 3 - 9.
Pests and Diseases: Slug resistant!
Companion planting: Other small hostas.
Propagation: by division.
Toxicity: Tolerant of air pollution.
References:
https://laidbackgardener.blog/2016/05/13/hosta-of-the-year-2016/
Text and images supplied by Anna Leggatt, Toronto Master Gardener.