As you might expect from a plant discovered in Windsor Great Park, England, 'Great Expectations' is a treasure! The variegation is simply stunning — three distinct colors are present on every leaf! — and the thick, puckered texture adds depth to this shade-loving plant. If you're looking for a truly distinctive Hosta, 'Great Expectations' should be at the top of your list!
At 22 inches tall and 30 inches wide, it's just the right size for edging the shade border, accenting in a large container, or setting among the ferns and Epimediums. In midsummer, scores of tiny white blooms dangle just above the foliage, adding to the appeal of this eye-catcher.
But the best part is the coloring. The heart of each leaf is a rich golden-yellow, arrayed in small side "flames" interspersed with arrows of blue and teal before the solid, dark green edging begins. Each leaf is distinct, yet the pattern is similar enough to look quite uniform on a mature plant. Stunning!
'Great Expectations' flourishes in light shade to about 1/4 sun. If you are looking for companion plantings, consider Hostas 'Aureonebulosa' and 'Fragrant Blue'. Zones 3-9.
