Hosta Patriot #1

One of the best-sellers here at Mitchell's. While many shade plants offer subtle color and textures, the Patriot screams for attention. Its dark green leaves are surrounded by a margin of stark, crisp white that is so wide, it actually reflects light. It is widely considered one of the best hostas ever introduced -- and it won the "Hosta of the Year" award to prove it.

In the heavy shade of our Winston-Salem, King, and Mount Airy landscapes, this plant acts as an anchor. It breaks up the monotony of ferns and ivy, giving your eye a bright focal point to land on.

Why we recommend them for NC Piedmont Triad yards:

• Lights Up: The pure white margins stay bright all season, effectively brightening up dark corners under decks or large canopy trees.

• Summer Tough: While it loves the shade, the Patriot is known for having slightly thicker leaves than older varieties, making it more resilient to our humid NC summers.

• Container Friendly: If you have a shaded front porch or patio, these thrive in pots. They return faithfully every spring, making them a great long-term investment for your planters.

Best Used For: Brightening deep shade, lining woodland walkways, container gardening, and mass plantings under large oaks.

The Patriot Hosta is a manageable size, clumping to about 12–18 inches tall and spread 24–30 inches wide. It thrives in full shade to partial shade (morning sun is fine, but protect it from the roasting afternoon heat). For more on caring for hostas in our region, check out the NC State Extension Plant Toolbox 'Hosta' entry or chat with us at the nursery.