Every year one variety is named Hosta of the Year.
Hosta of the Year
Winners are chosen because they grow well in a wide range of gardens and are widely available. That makes this collection a safe choice if you are new to hostas, or if you simply want proven, reliable varieties for your shady borders and pots.
Every pack contains 2 plants of the same variety and comes with our 100% growing guarantee.
2026: Halcyon. The first winner chosen by the American Hosta Society is a classic: a medium-sized blue hosta with thick, pointed leaves that hold their colour longer than most blues, pale lavender-blue flowers in midsummer and good slug resistance. It was raised in Britain by Eric Smith from a cross of Hosta tardiflora and Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegans'.
2027: Clear Fork River Valley. Already announced, the next winner is a large hosta with nearly round, deeply puckered, deep blue-green leaves and pure white flowers.
2025: Skywriter, the last winner chosen by the American Hosta Growers Association, has ruffled blue leaves on dark purple stems, held upright enough to show their pale undersides. 2024: Mini Skirt is a miniature with wavy leaves edged in creamy yellow.
From 1996 to 2025 the award was run by the American Hosta Growers Association. Its members voted for a variety that grows well in all regions of the United States, is widely available and sells at an affordable price. Since 2026 the American Hosta Society has continued the award with a different aim: it takes the winner of its Benedict Garden Performance Award, which rewards proven performance in real gardens rather than marketing appeal.
Several winners are related. First Frost (2010) is a sport of Halcyon (2026), Earth Angel (2009) a sport of Blue Angel, Liberty (2012) a sport of Sagae (2000), and Stained Glass (2006) a sport of Guacamole (2002). Patriot (1997) began as a sport of Francee. Growing parent and offspring side by side is an easy way to see how a single mutation changes a hosta.
For a border that is sure to perform, plant only winners: Sum and Substance or Sagae at the back, Halcyon, Patriot and Stained Glass in the middle, and Blue Mouse Ears or Mini Skirt along the front. Blue, white, gold and green in one bed, all of them proven garden plants.
For a complete list: Paradigm (2007), Curly Fries (2016), World Cup (2018), Dancing Queen (2020), Island Breeze (2022) and Neptune (2023) are not currently available from us.
Hosta of the Year is an award that the American Hosta Growers Association gave from 1996 to 2025. Each year one variety was chosen that performs well in many different gardens and climates and is easy to obtain. From 2026 the American Hosta Society continues the award.
Yes. Because winners are selected for reliable growth in a wide range of conditions, they are among the easiest hostas to succeed with.
Halcyon, a medium-sized blue hosta bred in Britain. It is the first winner chosen by the American Hosta Society, which now bases the award on proven garden performance.
Clear Fork River Valley, a large hosta with round, deeply puckered blue-green leaves and pure white flowers. The American Hosta Society has already announced it.
So Sweet, in 1996: a compact hosta with glossy green leaves edged in creamy yellow, which turns white by midsummer, and fragrant pale lavender flowers in August. It is still in our range.
Problems & pests
Hostas are late risers: established clumps rest until mid-spring, and a newly planted division usually shows two to four weeks after planting, later in cold soil. Before you worry, scrape the soil away and press the crown. Firm, pale tissue means it is alive; a soft, mushy or foul-smelling crown has rotted, and missing shoots may have been eaten by slugs or rodents.
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