The perfect size to show off as a solitary specimen, a foundation standout, or a back-of-the-border prize, 'Earth Angel' is one of the most beautiful Hostas of all. No wonder it has just been named the 2009 Hosta of the Year! Each giant rounded leaf is a play of blue and green, with a 1-inch edge of yellow that matures to cream in summer. Heavily textured and very thick, the leaves stand up to would-be nibbling slugs and snails, and improve every year!

'Earth Angel' is a mutation of a famous Hosta, 'Blue Angel,' and was introduced by one of the country's best Hosta breeders, H. Hansen, in 2002. It prefers light shade to bring out its magnificent colors, and is both very long-lived and utterly adaptable. In summer it is topped by Hyacinth-like white blooms on 4-foot stems, and unlike most Hosta flowers, which are unexciting at best, these blooms are glossy and handsome! They last for weeks, adding one more appealing look to 'Earth Angel.'

A treasure for any setting (even a giant container!), 'Earth Angel' combines well with other Hostas as well as large ferns and other shade lovers. Its leaves make nice filler for indoor arrangements, and it can be divided easily by simply whacking apart the pie-shaped crown in early spring. But you may want to leave it alone as long as possible, for the foliage improves in thickness and texture with every passing year. Zones 3-8.