Overview
Hosta 'Blue Dolphin' is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Hosta, part of the Asparagaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Hosta 'Blue Dolphin' grows best in partial shade, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, patio and container plants, low maintenance and underplanting of roses and shrubs.
About
Hosta 'Blue Dolphin' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial belonging to the Asparagaceae family. Like other Hostas, it features simple ovate or lanceolate leaves that are deciduous and thrive in partial shade with shelter from cold, drying winds. This cultivar is suited to fertile, moist but well-drained loam soil with a neutral pH and is hardy to UK zone H7. It is ideal for city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal settings, patios, and container planting, as well as underplanting of roses and shrubs. 'Blue Dolphin' flowers in early summer with nodding, funnel- or bell-shaped blooms on erect racemes.
About the genus
Hosta is a genus of plants commonly known as hostas, plantain lilies and occasionally by the Japanese name gibōshi. Hostas are widely cultivated as shade-tolerant foliage plants. The genus is placed in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Agavoideae, and is native to northeast Asia.
Wikipedia contributors, "Hosta", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Hosta
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Hosta
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- North-facing, East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
Hosta 'Blue Dolphin' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Low Maintenance, Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Hosta 'Blue Dolphin'
- Propagation
- Division in late summer or early spring
- Pest resistance
- Slugs, Snails, Vine weevil
- Disease resistance
- Virus
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Hosta 'Blue Dolphin'?
Hosta 'Blue Dolphin' prefers partial shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Hosta 'Blue Dolphin' need?
Hosta 'Blue Dolphin' grows best in loam soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained.
Is Hosta 'Blue Dolphin' hardy in the UK?
Hosta 'Blue Dolphin' has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.
How do I propagate Hosta 'Blue Dolphin'?
Division in late summer or early spring.
More in the Hosta genus
- Hostaplantain lily
- Hosta 'Dust Devil' (_fortunei_) (v)Hosta

- Hosta 'Francee'Hosta

- Hosta 'Honeybells'plantain lily 'Honeybells'

- Hosta 'Kabitan'Plantain Lily

- Hosta 'Krossa Regal'plantain lily 'Krossa Regal'

- Hosta 'Royal Standard'plantain lily 'Royal Standard'

- Hosta 'Alligator Shoes' (v)plantain lily 'Alligator Shoes'