Purple Hostas | Add Colour and Elegance to Shady Gardens
Introduction: Unusual and Eye-Catching Hostas with a Hint of Purple
While most hostas are known for their green, blue, or variegated foliage, purple hostas bring something a little different to the shade garden. Though you won’t typically find deep purple leaves like those of heucheras, many hostas feature purple stems (petioles), flower buds, or blooms — offering subtle yet beautiful colour contrast. Some newer hybrid varieties are even bred for enhanced purple pigmentation, giving hosta lovers something truly unique.
What Are Purple Hostas?
“Purple hostas” generally refer to hosta varieties with one or more of the following traits:
- Purple flower stalks (scapes)
- Purple-tinted or flushed leaf stems
- Lavender or purple flowers
- Dark foliage with a slight plum or smoky hue in some light conditions
These hostas are not fully purple in leaf colour like some ornamental plants, but their touches of purple can be striking and elegant in shaded planting schemes.
Popular Purple-Tinted Hosta Varieties
| Variety | Features | Size |
|---|---|---|
| Hosta ‘Purple Heart’ | Green leaves with strong purple petioles | Medium |
| Hosta ‘Raspberry Sundae’ | Cream-edged leaves, vivid purple-red stems | Small–Medium |
| Hosta ‘First Blush’ | Young leaves flush with reddish-purple tint in spring | Small |
| Hosta ‘Fire Island’ | Bright chartreuse leaves with red-purple stems | Small |
| Hosta ‘Red October’ | Blue-green leaves and deep reddish-purple petioles | Medium |
Note: The purple or red colouring is often most visible in spring and can fade with age or excess sun.
Why Choose Purple Hostas?
- 🎨 Unique Colour Accents – Add visual interest and contrast in shade
- 🌱 Foliage & Stems in Harmony – Purple stems make leaf colours pop
- 🌸 Lavender to Purple Flowers – Many varieties produce soft purple blooms in summer
- 🐝 Pollinator Friendly – Attract bees and butterflies with fragrant blooms
- 🌿 Easy to Grow – Just as tough and hardy as standard hostas
How to Grow Purple Hostas
🌤️ Light
- Best in partial to full shade
- Some morning sun is okay, but full sun may bleach colours or scorch leaves
🛠️ Soil
- Moist, rich, well-draining soil
- Mix in compost or leaf mould before planting
📍 Planting Time
- Spring or early autumn is ideal for planting
- Water well after planting and mulch to retain moisture
Caring for Purple Hostas
- 💧 Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially in containers
- 🌱 Feeding: Use a balanced slow-release fertiliser in early spring
- ✂️ Pruning: Remove dead or damaged leaves as needed
- 🐌 Pest Control: Protect from slugs with copper tape, wool pellets, or beer traps
- ❄️ Winter: Cut back foliage in autumn; no lifting needed — fully hardy in the UK
Growing in Pots
Many purple-stemmed hostas are compact and perfect for containers:
- Choose a medium to large pot with good drainage
- Use peat-free compost with added bark or perlite
- Water regularly — containers dry out faster
- Feed monthly during the growing season for vibrant colour
Design Ideas with Purple Hostas
- Pair with silver foliage (brunnera, lamium) for contrast
- Combine with ferns or astilbes for a layered woodland look
- Use purple-stemmed varieties in containers near patios or walkways to admire their detail
- Plant in groups or drifts for a soft, colourful groundcover effect
Flowering & Fragrance
Most purple hostas bloom in mid to late summer with:
- Lavender to pale purple flowers
- Fragrant varieties like ‘Fragrant Bouquet’ or ‘Guacamole’
- Tall, graceful flower stalks that rise above the foliage
Conclusion
Purple hostas offer a stylish and modern twist on this classic shade plant. Whether you’re drawn to their colourful stems, soft blooms, or foliage with a blush of purple, these varieties bring something extra to the garden. Easy to grow, pollinator-friendly, and full of visual charm, they’re a fantastic addition to both traditional and contemporary planting schemes.