Hosta 'Island Breeze' #1

Photo and Description Credit: Walters Gardens

Available April-May 2025

Common Name: Hosta

First came ‘Fire Island’ which was followed by its variegated progeny ‘Paradise Island’.  Now there is ‘Island Breeze’ which is the third member of this “tropical” family and a sport of ‘Paradise Island’. 

The improvements in this cultivar include more impressive variegation due to its wider margins, thicker leaf substance, and a strong growth rate.

Wide, dark green margins stand in sharp contrast to the bright yellow centers in early spring.  As summer approaches, the centers become more chartreuse when plants are grown in heavier shade or lighter yellow if they are grown in more sun. Like ‘Paradise Island’, this one also has showy red speckled petioles that bleed up into the leaves. 

Dark lavender flowers appear on reddish green scapes in midsummer.

Hostas are exceedingly popular perennials in today's gardens due to their versatility in the landscape. Their subtle colors, tall flower scapes, and broad, coarse leaves fill a niche in garden designs that few other plants can achieve. Their large leaves provide excellent coverage for dying bulb foliage. Hostas also grow well in city environments where the air may be polluted by car exhaust, etc.

Premium Hostas

This premium hosta variety is part of a group of the finest hostas available today. To be considered a premium hosta, plants must perform superbly in many zones. They must also exhibit exemplary garden presence and performance, have a long season of appeal in the landscape, have leaves of good substance, and demonstrate a greater resistance to common garden pests.

Height:

12.0 Inches

Spread:

18.0 Inches

Scape Height:

28.0 Inches

Hardiness Zones:

3,4,5,6,7,8,9

Flower Color:

Purple shades

Foliage Color:

Variegated

Sunlight:

Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun)

Full Shade (< 4 hrs. Direct Sun)

Water Requirements:

Average Water Needs

Consistent Water Needs

Soil Quality:

Average Soil Quality

Fertile Soil Quality

Soil Chemistry:

Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0)Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)

Bloomtime:

Midsummer

Attracts Wings:

Attracts Hummingbirds

Growth Rate:

Medium

Garden Style:

Patio Container

Cottage

Eclectic

Woodland Shade

Other Features:

Border Plant

Containe

rCut Foliage

Easy To Grow

Attractive Foliage

Specimen

Focal Point