Patriot Hosta

Hosta 'Patriot'

Nature Hills Nursery

Bold White-Margined Leaves Light up Shady Corners with Striking Variegation Year-Round
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 3-8
Grows 1-2 ft Tall and Wide
Showy Purple Blooms From Late Summer to Early Fall
Ideal for Mass Planting in Asian Gardens

$16⁹⁹

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Plant Size

Quart Container #1 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Your Patriot Hosta performs best in partial to full shade, ideally receiving about 4 to 6 hours of dappled or morning sunlight. While it can handle full shade, a little morning sun helps intensify the stark white variegation on the leaves. Avoid hot afternoon sun, which will scorch the white margins and turn them crispy brown.
Soil: These plants love rich, well-draining soil that holds moisture like a damp sponge. If you have heavy clay or loose sandy soil, mix in plenty of compost or organic matter before planting to improve texture and drainage. This "fluffs up" the ground, allowing roots to spread easily while preventing them from sitting in stagnant water.

Watering Requirements

Consistency is key for lush, happy leaves. During the first season, check your plant every few days and water deeply whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to help the roots establish. Once established, Patriot Hostas are fairly tough, but if you skimp on water during dry spells, the leaves will droop and develop brown, tatty edges. Think of water as the pressure that keeps the foliage looking crisp and standing tall.

Pruning Tips

Hostas are herbaceous perennials, meaning they don't build up "wood" like a shrub; instead, they grow fresh from the ground every spring. The most important pruning task is a "cleanup cut" in late autumn after the first hard frost turns the leaves brown and mushy. Cut the entire plant back to the ground and remove the debris. This isn't just for looks—it removes winter hiding spots for slugs and voles that would otherwise snack on your plant next spring.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer (like a 10-10-10) once in early spring just as the little "eyes" (new shoots) start poking out of the ground. Avoid fertilizing after mid-August. Feeding them too late in the season encourages soft, tender new growth that won't have time to harden off before winter, leading to guaranteed freeze damage.

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

Ships in 7-10 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Groundcover, Flowering, Wet Soils, Attracts Hummingbirds, Container Friendly, Fragrant
Hardiness Zone	3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Full sun, Partial shade, Shade
Height	1-2 ft
Width	1-2 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Peaty
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Compact
Plant Life Cycle	Perennial
Blooms In	Fall, Summer
Flower Color	Purple
Foliage Color	Green, Variegated
Pet Safety	Toxic to pets
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Plant Name	Hosta
Botanical Name	Hosta 'Patriot'
Species	hybrid
Cultivar	Patriot
Class	Asparagales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

A light the dark, the Patriot Hosta (Hosta 'Patriot') has heart-shaped, glossy medium green leaves with a large white margin, making this variety very striking! The large leaves have bold, coarse texture that seems to gracefully waterfall over each other to create a tidy and orderly mound.

The lavender flowers bloom in mid-summer and attract a following of hummingbirds and pollinators! You'll enjoy placing these scented trumpet-shaped flowers on their tall scapes in your bouquets! They shoot up from the foliage on strong, tall stems seemingly made for butterflies to perch themselves on. Patriot provides a bright splash of color with its fabulous foliage in shady places often in need of that extra "pop"!

Patriot Hosta is a former winner of "Hosta of the Year" from the American Hosta Growers. One look, and you'll see why it was beloved by judges and gardeners alike! Wonderfully cold-hardy and shade tolerant, these herbaceous perennials grow throughout USDA hardiness zones 3 to 8 and can reach nearly 3 feet in height when in bloom, while spreading just 2 feet wide.

Planting and Application:

This is a low-care perennial and is ideal for shady positions and is one of the most popular for landscapes. Growing effectively in woodland settings or shade gardens, Hosta are never a challenge! They make it easy to create a restful spot that fills bare ground and lights up the shade! Create your own shade-loving perennial display with Ferns, Barrenwarts, Coral Bells, and of course other Hosta!

Use this low-care perennial in dappled and understory settings, as edging plants, foundation plantings, or in large garden planters. Patriot offers effortless style for many years, making it a favorite for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.

Underplant your flowering ornamental trees with this outstanding shade garden workhorse! Add Patriots bold foliage skirts around your favorite urn, arbor, garden bench or a shrub that may be a bit leggy. Use as facer plants along the shady side of an evergreen hedge or your foundation shrubs for a clean transition between lawn and garden!

Unique Variety - Showy Leaves are Large and Heart-Shaped
Corrugated Blue-Toned Foliage Features Silvery Overcast
Fragrant White Flowers in Summer
Supports Beneficial Pollinators & Hummingbirds
Large Visual Impact & Sculptural Rounded Accent
Perfect Groundcover, Edging, Containers & Specimens

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Plant Patriot in an area that receives the right amount of light. The leaves need some morning sun to bring out the best coloration. Too much sun will burn the leaves. These herbaceous perennials are at home in consistently moist, well-drained, highly organic soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Sandy loam is better than clay because it provides more aeration for the roots. When watering, make sure to lift up the leaves and water the soil directly underneath. Those big boisterous leaves can sometimes act like an umbrella and leave the roots dry. Provide moderate yet consistent moisture throughout the growing season and these appreciate a 3-4 inch thick layer of arborist mulch chips to help hold in moisture. It is best to keep areas around Hostas clear of excess leaf debris to reduce the presence of slugs and snails. Deadhead after flowers fade, and clean the foliage away from the plant once it dies back in the autumn.

Full Shade/Partial Shade
Moderate /Consistent Moisture Needs
Enriched Well-Drained Soil
Effortlessly Easy-Care with Minimal Maintenance
Prune Back Foliage Late Autumn
Very Cold Hardy & Heat Tolerant

Order Elegans Hosta from Nature Hills today. You'll be thrilled with the commercial-grade quality of our plant material. It's easy to track your study shipping box right to your doorstep! Give new plants a long drink and follow our planting instructions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do Hostas need full sun or shade?

Hosta does best in full sun in cooler climates but does appreciate afternoon protection from the worst of the summer sun, especially in the hottest of their growing zone range. In the hottest climates, Hosta like partial shade or dappled shade, and some varieties will do great in full shade.

Where do Hostas grow best?

Hosta plants love enriched, well-drained soil that is moderately yet consistently moist throughout the growing season. They appreciate mulched garden beds.

Do Hostas come back every year? Are Hostas a perennial plant?

With vigorous carefree growth, Hostas are herbaceous perennial plants that will return year after year with little maintenance.

What do you do with Hostas in the fall? What do you do with Hostas in the winter?

Hosta leaves will die back after frost but the crowns and roots remain intact and dormant until next spring. Prune back the leaves once they turn brown in the autumn and remove them from the plant's area. For winter protection, add a layer of compost or mulch over the crowns to protect them from the chill.

Do Hosta attract hummingbirds or pollinators?

Hostas are loved by pollinators and hummingbirds! All walks of beneficial pollinators will show up to sip their nectar.

What Shipping Options Do You Offer?

NatureHills.com works closely with our growers and nursery professionals to ensure we ship when it is most appropriate for your area. Our goal is to deliver the hardiest plants by avoiding extreme high and low temperatures. Check out our shipping schedule for more information and to learn our wills and don'ts when it comes to shipping plants. Find your Hosta Plants for sale here at NatureHills.com!

Patriot Hosta

Hosta 'Patriot'