Growing guide · Perennials

Hosta 'Empress Wu'

How to grow Hosta 'Shadowland® Empress Wu'.

Leaves the size of a serving platter.

Light
Part sun, shade
Water
Moderate
Zones
3–9
Size
3–4 ft tall, 4.5–6 ft wide
Spacing
5–6 ft apart.
Pets
Not on the ASPCA pet-safe list; keep it out of reach
Giant hosta with very large, thick, dark green leaves

Light

Part shade to shade.

Water

Keep evenly moist. It needs more water than smaller hostas to size up.

Planting and soil

Plant in spring or early fall with the crown at soil level, in soil worked with compost.

Feeding

Compost and a balanced slow-release feed in spring.

Pruning

Cut flower stalks after bloom. Remove leaves after frost.

Through the year

Shoots in April. Full size by June. Flowers in summer.

If something's off

Deer and slugs both love hostas. Hostas are toxic to dogs and cats if eaten.

Plays well with

Plant it with friends.

Autumn Fern 'Brilliance'
Dryopteris erythrosoraAutumn Fern 'Brilliance' from $29.99
Lady Fern 'Lady in Red'
Athyrium filix-femina var. angustum 'Lady in Red'Lady Fern 'Lady in Red' from $29.99
Coral Bells 'Southern Comfort'
Heuchera villosa hybridCoral Bells 'Southern Comfort' from $35.99

Why we stock it: A true giant for shade that turns one plant into a focal point.

That's everything we know about growing it. Thanks for reading.

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