Hosta 'Whirlwind' Plantain Lily

Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit; American Hosta Society Best Variegated Hosta in a Garden Award 1992

A compact gem, Hosta 'Whirlwind' matures to about 18 inches tall and 35 inches wide. This award-winning variety is celebrated for its heart-shaped, variegated foliage, which features broad, dark margins and creamy centers that transition to lime green and dark green as the season progresses. The slightly twisted and wavy leaves add texture and movement to the garden. Early to late summer, tall, slender scapes rise above the foliage, bearing pale lavender, trumpet-shaped flowers that draw hummingbirds and butterflies. These delicate blooms are perfect for adding charm to mixed floral arrangements.

A Hosta undulata cultivar, commonly called plantain lily, 'Whirlwind' is a clump-forming perennial ideal for Zones 3-9. With its symmetrical, mounding growth habit, it establishes quickly but reaches full maturity over several years. Long-lived and dependable, it returns annually with greater vigor. This versatile hosta shines when massed as a ground cover or arranged in flowing drifts through shaded gardens. It also excels in borders, containers, foundation plantings, and woodland settings, where it pairs beautifully with spring bulbs, seamlessly filling in as their foliage fades.

Low-maintenance and adaptable, 'Whirlwind' thrives in dappled to full shade and requires rich, moist, and well-draining soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. Regular watering is essential to prevent drying out, and an annual application of slow-release fertilizer keeps its foliage lush and vibrant.

For best results, plant Hosta 'Whirlwind' roots in spring, spacing them 35 inches apart and burying them 1½ to 2 inches deep.