Hosta Shadowland 'Empress Wu'

Hosta Shadowland 'Empress Wu' is the undisputed queen of hostas renowned for being one of the largest hostas in the world. A commanding selection from the Shadowland Series by Proven Winners®, this variety delivers an unmatched presence in the garden with its towering size, deeply veined leaves, and bold architectural form. Each clump forms a massive vase-like mound with dark green, thick-textured foliage that can reach over 18 inches across per leaf.

Despite its impressive size, 'Empress Wu' grows with surprising speed and maintains a tidy, upright form. This giant is perfect for gardeners looking to add drama, texture, and shade garden structure.

Key Features:

• Foliage: Huge, dark green, deeply veined leaves with a lightly corrugated surface and excellent substance; resists slug damage well.

• Mature Size: Reaches an enormous 3–4 feet tall and 5–6 feet wide at maturity.

• Flowers: Pale lavender flowers appear in early to midsummer, rising above the foliage on tall scapes.

• Light Requirements: Thrives in part to full shade; morning sun is acceptable but protect from strong afternoon sun.

• Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained, rich soils; mulch helps retain moisture and support its large size.

• Hardiness: USDA zones 3–9.

• Growth Rate: Fast-growing for a hosta of its size; reaches full size in 5–6 years.

• Maintenance: Low-maintenance; benefits from consistent moisture and dividing every few years if needed.

• Uses: Ideal as a specimen plant or shade garden centerpiece. Also effective in large containers or mass plantings for bold texture and scale.

• Notable Series: Part of the Shadowland Collection from Proven Winners.