Regal Splendor Hosta - 5 Gallon

What truly sets Regal Splendor apart from the majority of hostas is its upright, vase-shaped growth habit rather than the typical ground-hugging mound. The leaves emerge from the crown in an upward direction, creating a tall, stately, architectural clump that reads as a structural accent in the shade garden in a way that low-mounding hostas simply cannot achieve. This vertical orientation also shows off the beautiful creamy gold leaf margins more effectively, as the foliage is displayed at an angle that maximizes visibility of the variegation pattern from most viewing positions in the garden.

Regal Splendor Hosta thrives in full shade to partial shade. Harsh afternoon sun should always be avoided as it scorches the delicate gold margins and dulls the distinctive blue-green leaf color. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged throughout the growing season. Maintain a 2 to 3 inch layer of organic mulch over the root zone to retain moisture, moderate summer soil temperature, and reduce weed pressure. Provide slightly acidic, humusy, well-drained soil enriched with compost. Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges.

• Spring cleanup: Remove old, faded foliage before new leaves emerge in early spring to maintain a fresh, tidy appearance.
• Mulching: Apply 2-3 inches of organic mulch annually; keep mulch away from direct contact with the crown to prevent rot.
• Fertilizing: Apply balanced slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring as new growth begins.
• Division: Divide every 4 to 5 years in spring or fall to maintain vigor and create new plants.
• Deer protection: Hostas are highly attractive to deer; protect with fencing or repellents in deer-pressure landscapes.

Regal Splendor Hosta is exceptional for massing beneath the canopy of shade trees where its bold upright form and gold-edged foliage create a dramatic woodland floor display. It is perfect for fleshing out foundation beds under low windows, for use in side yards dominated by shade, and as a standout specimen in large pots where its upright habit and variegated foliage create an eye-catching container display. The tall lavender flower stalks add an additional vertical dimension in summer that makes this hosta particularly valuable in layered shade garden plantings.

Regal Splendor Hosta is rated for USDA Zones 4 through 9. In Zone 4, it reliably survives winter lows as cold as -30 degrees Fahrenheit before re-emerging vigorously in spring. In warmer zones through Zone 9, it performs as a reliable herbaceous perennial, dying back to the ground in winter and returning each spring with vigor. Consistent moisture and shade are increasingly important in the warmer end of its zone range to maintain the plant's health and the beautiful foliage quality that defines this award-winning variety.

Regal Splendor Hosta was discovered as a sport — a naturally occurring genetic mutation — of the highly regarded Hosta 'Krossa Regal,' which is itself known for its distinctive upright, vase-shaped growth habit. Regal Splendor inherits this stately architectural quality from its parent while adding the beautiful creamy gold leaf margins that elevate it to one of the most ornamentally valuable hosta varieties available. It was awarded Hosta of the Year for 1983, an early recognition from the American Hosta Society that helped establish the variety's reputation and bring it to the attention of gardeners worldwide. The genus Hosta, native primarily to China and Japan, contains over 40 species that have been the subject of intensive breeding and selection for over two centuries, producing an extraordinary diversity of foliage textures, colors, and sizes for shade garden use.