Island Breeze Hosta

As welcome and effortless as an island breeze, this hosta hybrid strikes a refreshing note in the shade. The lime leaves are bordered in minty green, in wide sweeping brush strokes. The petioles and flower stems have red tones, making a perfect foil to the chartreuse. The leaves are upright and beautifully textured, yet only rise to a foot tall, making it perfect for a container accent or a garden edging under taller shrubs. Hummingbirds flock to the lavender trumpet-shaped flowers in late summer. Those flowers which can reach 28 inches high, also make nice cut flowers for arrangements. Hostas are known as easy-breezy perennials in darker spaces. Island Breeze is part of the tropical-named family of hosta hybrids that brought the popular Fire Island, and Paradise Island, of which it is a bolder-variegated sport, or chance mutation. Raised up in a container near eye level would be a fabulous way to enjoy that seersucker foliage. It will be a great companion in a shady container or garden bed with begonias, red-leafed leucothoe, or black mondo grass. Island Breeze Hosta Care Island Breeze asks for a spot in part or even full shade, with consistent water particularly during the first two years after planting. Morning sun will intensify the leaf colors, but afternoon sun would likely be too hot and might scorch the leaves. It can thrive in average or fertile soil, and in soils with an acidic to neutral ph. When planting, place the growing points, or eyes, near the surface. It would prefer sandy loam over clay for optimal drainage. For the plants first few winters, you can help your hostas stay put in winter freeze-thaw cycles with a thick layer of finely shredded organic mulch. Watering is crucial during leaf-emergence in spring, and of course during dry spells in summer. Fertilize if desired with a slow-release fertilizer in spring. Slug bait should be applied just before new shoots emerge in early spring, and remove old leaves in the fall, where slugs and other leaf-chompers lay their eggs. Island Breeze Hosta Spacing Eighteen inches across would be an ideal spacing for Island Breeze.