Hosta 'First Frost' is a striking award winning cultivar known for its wide blue green leaves edged with bright gold margins that turn creamy white as the season progresses. It emerges late in spring, helping avoid frost damage, and forms a neat symmetrical mound ideal for adding texture to shaded garden beds. In midsummer lavender flower spikes rise above the foliage attracting pollinators and adding vertical interest.
Height & Spread: 12 - 18 in x 24 - 36 in
Bloom Time: Midsummer
Light Requirements: Part shade to full shade
Soil Preference: Moist, well drained soil enriched with organic matter
Watering Needs: Moderate; consistent moisture preferred during dry spells
Deer Resistance: Not deer resistant; protect young shoots in spring
Native Status
Hostas are originally native to East Asia, and 'First Frost' is a cultivated hybrid bred for ornamental use in temperate climates. It is widely grown in North American shade gardens.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Bees
- The lavender tubular flowers attract long tongued bees such as bumblebees and carpenter bees during midsummer bloom.
Hummingbirds
- Drawn to the nectar rich blossoms, Ruby Throated Hummingbirds may visit hosta flowers especially in shade gardens with few other floral sources.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Space 24 - 36 in apart to allow for mature clump expansion and visual impact.
Landscape Placement:
- Use along shady walkways, beneath trees, or in foundation beds to create contrast with finer textured companions. Effective in mass plantings or as a specimen.
Companion Plants
- Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum' (Variegated Solomons Seal) - Graceful arching stems and variegated foliage mirror the hosta’s bright edges and thrive in similar shade conditions.
- Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' - Silvery heart shaped leaves complement the gold edged foliage and bloom in early spring before hosta emergence.
- Pulmonaria 'Raspberry Splash' - Spotted leaves and early blooms add texture and seasonal interest alongside emerging hostas.
- Heuchera 'Obsidian' - Deep purple black foliage anchors shade combinations and contrasts the hosta’s bright variegation.
- Ferns (Various) - Fine textured fronds provide a soft contrast to the bold leaves of 'First Frost'.