WKBT La Crosse, WI-NewsChannel 8-This Week's Topic: Hosta of the Year 2008: 'Blue Mouse Ears'

This Week's Topic: Hosta of the Year 2008: 'Blue Mouse Ears'

Hosta are among the most popular of perennials for shady areas, with hundreds of varieties now readily available. Plants form a sturdy mound of foliage, topped with airy blooms. Each year the American Hosta Growers Association selects its Hosta of the Year to recognize hosta plants that are good garden plants in all regions of the country, are widely available, and retail for no more than $15.00 in the year of selection. Since 1996 they have chosen great varieties that have exceptionally decorative foliage, showy or fragrant flowers, and perform well throughout USDA hardiness zones 3-9. Their choice for 2008 is 'Blue Mouse Ears.'

This low-growing and distinctive hosta is often classified as a miniature, but may grow slightly larger than the AHS limit for miniatures (clump 4-6" tall and leaves 2.0-6.0 in2). Plants form a tight, symmetrical mound of small, round, blue-green leaves. Clumps grow to about one foot wide and 6-7" tall, with leaves 2-3" long. The rounded to heart-shaped, soft blue-gray leaves are gently curled (shaped like a mouse ear!) with a thick, almost rubbery, texture. The leaves have a faint white edge that is most noticeable in early spring, but remains throughout the season, and hints of gold at the base. This cultivar has a moderate growth rate. In early summer ‘Blue Mouse Ears' produces short spikes of lavender flowers in perfect proportion to the clump size (up to 9" tall).

‘Blue Mouse Ears' is a sport of H. 'Blue Cadet' released by E & J Deckert in 2000. The neat mounds have a manicured look. Plants remain fresh looking throughout the season and are not bothered by slugs as much as thinner-leaved varieties. It makes up for in vigor what it lacks in size.This variety is perfect for small gardens or beds of smaller plants, but of course needs a special spot in a larger garden so it won't get lost amid bigger plants. It is great for rock gardens and mixed containers (including troughs) and is a good choice for hosta collectors who are running out of garden space. Use it as an edging, in the front of the shade border, or as an accent among small green, yellow, or variegated-leafed plants. I have several dwarf or miniature varieties planted on the edge of a walkway under an arbor - with ‘Blue Mouse Ears' on one side of the path and ‘Cat's Eye' on the other - where they can be appreciated up close in my large backyard.

Several other cultivars have been developed from ‘Blue Mouse Ears.'

• ‘Green Mouse Ears' (2004) has a similar appearance, but with green instead of blue leaf color.
• ‘Royal Mouse Ears' (2004) is a streaked sport of ‘Blue Mouse Ears' with cream markings on the medium blue-green leaves
• ‘Frosted Mouse Ears' (2006), a larger plant with blue-green leaves edged in creamy white, is a stable margined sport of ‘Royal Mouse Ears.'
• 'Holy Mouse Ears' (2006) is another sport of ‘Royal Mouse Ears' with creamy white centers on the blue-green leaves

- Susan Mahr, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Additional Information:

American Hosta Society - aims to promote, encourage, and foster the development, improvement, and enjoyment of the genus Hosta with information for everyone from beginners to long-time hosta-philes.
Presenting...H. 'Blue Mouse Ears' 2000
The Hosta Library - a reference library, with photos, discussion forums, and lots of links related to the genus.
The Hosta Network - offers 150 hosta varieties through Bishop's Farms, but also has links to numerous societies, books and more.
The Hosta Forum on Garden Web - offers an opportunity to connect with other hosta lovers.
Ten Top Hostas - by Dr. Leonard Perry, Extension Professor, University of Vermont