Big Daddy Hosta

Hosta 'Big Daddy'

Nature Hills Nursery

Massive Frosty Blue Leaves up to 12 Inches Long with Heavily Quilted Texture
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 3-8
Grows 1-2 ft Tall, 2-3 ft Wide
Showy White Blooms From Late Summer to Early Fall
Excellent Mass Planting in Asian Gardens

$15⁸²

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Plant Size

Quart Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Plant this variety in full shade to partial shade, aiming for less than 4 hours of direct sun. The waxy coating that gives the leaves their distinct blue color will melt away in hot afternoon sun, turning the foliage green or causing scorch edges.
Soil: Hostas thrive in rich, organic soil that holds moisture but drains well. If you have heavy clay or sandy soil, mix in plenty of compost or peat moss at planting time to keep the roots cool and moist without drowning them.

Watering Requirements

These large, cupped leaves lose a lot of moisture, so consistent watering is crucial, especially during the first year while roots establish. Once established, they have some drought tolerance, but dry soil will lead to drooping leaves and crispy brown edges. Aim to keep the soil consistently damp, like a wrung-out sponge, rather than letting it dry out completely between waterings.

Pruning Tips

You can snip off the flower stalks after they finish blooming in early fall to keep the plant looking tidy. The main pruning happens in late fall after the first hard frost turns the foliage into mush. Cut all the foliage back to the ground and remove it from the garden bed to prevent slugs and diseases from overwintering in the debris.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring just as the new "eyes" (shoots) begin to poke out of the ground. Avoid fertilizing after August, as this encourages soft new growth that will be damaged by winter frost, weakening the plant's dormancy cycle.

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 pollinators, Container Friendly, Disease resistant, Edible, Fragrant, Fast-growing
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	2-3 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Peaty
Growth Rate	Slow
Growth Habit	Compact
Plant Life Cycle	Perennial
Blooms In	Fall, Summer
Flower Color	White
Foliage Color	Green, Variegated
Pet Safety	Toxic to pets
Suitable Space	Indoors, Outdoors
Plant Name	Hosta
Botanical Name	Hosta 'Big Daddy'
Species	hybrid
Cultivar	Big Daddy
Class	Asparagales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

A frosted fan-favorite, The Hosta Big Daddy (Hosta 'Big Daddy'), is a large selection with huge, frosty blue leaves that are cupped and heavily quilted. The pale lavender flowers typically appear in July, however, Hostas are not known only for their blooms, but your pollinators and Hummingbirds will not care and visit in droves.

Hosta leaves provides bright color in the dark shaded areas of your yard with their wonderful foliage, and the Big Daddy is no exception! The rounded perennial spreads a width of 3 to 4 feet at maturity and the leaves can reach lengths of nearly a foot long each.

Hardy throughout USDA growing zones 4 to 8, Hosta are herbaceous perennials that thrive in less sun and urban environments throughout a wide range of conditions! Highly adaptable and easy to grow, Big Daddy has a big impact for very little fuss from you!

Planting and Application:

This easy care and high-impact plant, Big Daddy works as effectively as a single specimen or en masse to cover the ground with its big cooling leaves. These bold perennials are ideal for shady positions and in large tubs and patio pots! Big Daddy is one of the most popular landscape plants. It's truly a great choice for any beginner gardener!

This blue-leaved plant is a standout in any garden area. With unbeatable curb appeal, Big Daddy Hosta is eye-catching and appealing. Beautiful pale-lavender flowers appear in mid to late summer and attract Pollinators and hummingbirds. Add its cooling foliage to Zen gardens and shaded Cottage borders alike, and of course, when planted among other Hostas!

Like all Hosta, it is most at home in shady, woodland settings and works well as an accent or edging plant, or groundcover! Contemporary plantings and informal cottage gardens alike benefit from these large perennials and other shade-loving plants. Borders look divine with long rows of Hosta skirting and tidying up their edges. So will your driveway and walkways, and shady paths. These are also amazing for balcony and container gardeners who don't have much space and still want these lovely perennials!

Impressive Large Silver-Blue Foliage
Tall Lavender Blooms
Large Showy Hosta & Big Leafy Display
Favorites of Hummingbirds & Pollinators
Cooling Perennial for Beginners & Fantastic Shade Garden Specimen Foliage

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Big Daddy needs to be planted in a full or partial shade area in any moist, well-drained spot and has good slug resistance. The morning sun is tolerable and will help to intensify the leaf colors, but the hot afternoon sun is usually detrimental to Hostas! Low maintenance and easy care, there's not much work for you! Once frosts arrive, Hosta is an herbaceous perennial that dies back to the ground and emerges again in early spring. A generous 3-4 inch thick layer of mulch chips helps retain soil moisture as well as insulate the root system from heat and chill. Be sure to remove dead leaf matter from the area to prevent the spread of fungal issues and deter slugs. But it has excellent slug resistance and no disease issues! Divide your perennials every 3-5 years to maintain vigor.

Full Shade & Partial Shade/Sun
Moisture Loving Plant
Very Cold, Heat & Humidity Tolerant
Prune In Late Fall
Excellent Slug & Snail Resistance
Low Maintenance & Very Easy to Grow

You will be very pleased with the frosty blue foliage, large size, and easy care of Big Daddy Hosta. These are a fan favorite, so be sure to order your very own before it's too late! Order today at Nature Hills!

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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!