Overview
Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' is a clump-forming, mounded perennial in the genus Hosta, part of the Q157167 family, with deciduous, broad, ribbed or puckered, often variegated or glaucous foliage. Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' grows best in partial shade and shade, and tolerates well-drained and fertile soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include groundcover, rock gardens, borders and containers.
About
Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' is a perennial cultivar of the Hosta genus, known for its shade-tolerant foliage. It thrives in partial shade to full shade conditions and prefers moist, well-drained, fertile soil. This cultivar is suitable for use as groundcover, in rock gardens, borders, or containers. It requires mulching to retain moisture and should be protected from direct hot sun to prevent leaf scorch. As with other hostas, it is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
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, shade
- Soil type
- well-drained, fertile
- Soil pH
- Neutral
- Soil moisture
- moist
- Aspect
- North-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- perennial
- Habit
- Clump-forming, mounded
- Foliage
- Deciduous, broad, ribbed or puckered, often variegated or glaucous
- Suggested uses
- groundcover, rock gardens, borders, containers
- Toxicity
- toxic to cats and dogs if ingested
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears'
- Cultivation
- Prefers shaded areas with moist, well-drained soil; mulch to retain moisture; avoid direct hot sun to prevent leaf scorch.
- Pruning
- Remove dead or damaged leaves as needed; cut back flower stalks after blooming.
- Propagation
- Division in spring or autumn.
- Pest resistance
- Slugs, Snails
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears'?
Prefers shaded areas with moist, well-drained soil; mulch to retain moisture; avoid direct hot sun to prevent leaf scorch.
Where is the best place to plant Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears'?
Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' prefers partial shade and shade. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' need?
Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' grows best in well-drained and fertile soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays moist.
How do I prune Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears'?
Remove dead or damaged leaves as needed; cut back flower stalks after blooming.
Is Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' hardy in the UK?
Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears'?
Division in spring or autumn.
Is Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' toxic?
Toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
From the Fenn Plants journal
- Notes on DaffodilsWhen to plant daffodil bulbs in the UK, how deep, how to naturalise them in grass, why daffodils stop flowering (“blindness”), and why you should never mix cut daffodils with other flowers.
- Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
- Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.
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 albomarginataPlantain Lily
