Frances Williams Hosta

Hosta seiboldiana 'Frances Williams'

Nature Hills Nursery

Giant Blue-Green Leaves with Golden Chartreuse Margins Transform Shady Spaces into Living Art
Cold Hardy: Thrives in Zones 3-9
Grows 2-3 ft Tall, 3-4 ft Wide
Showy Purple, White Blooms From Early Summer to Late Summer
Excellent Mass Planting in Asian Gardens

$15⁸²

Shipping calculated at checkout.

In Stock

Enter your ZIP code to check shipping availability.

Find your Growing Zone

Plant Size

Quart Container #1 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Aim for dappled shade or a spot that receives only morning sun. While it can handle more light than some hostas, too much direct afternoon sun will scorch the wide yellow margins and cause the blue centers to fade to green.
Soil: These plants crave rich, organic soil that holds onto moisture without becoming a swamp. If you have heavy clay, mix in several inches of compost to improve drainage; for sandy soil, add peat moss to help the roots stay hydrated.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, provide at least one inch of water per week to help the thick, corrugated leaves establish a strong root system. Once mature, this hosta is relatively resilient, but inconsistent watering during summer heat will lead to "crispy" edges on the variegated borders. Deep soakings at the base of the plant are far more effective than frequent light sprinklings.

Pruning Tips

Because hostas grow from a central crown, they do not require traditional pruning, but you should remove the flower stalks once the blooms fade to redirect energy back into the foliage. In late autumn, wait for a hard frost to turn the leaves yellow before cutting the entire plant back to ground level. This cleanup removes the hiding spots for slugs and snails that might otherwise snack on the new shoots next spring.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring just as the "eyes" or pointed tips begin to poke through the soil. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer, as this encourages soft new growth that won't have time to harden off before the first frost. A simple top-dressing of composted manure each spring is often all these heavy feeders need to maintain their size.

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

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Flowering, Container Friendly, Non-invasive
Hardiness Zone	3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Sunlight	Partial shade
Height	2-3 ft
Width	3-4 ft
Watering Needs	Moderate
Preferred Soil	Peaty
Growth Rate	Moderate
Growth Habit	Compact
Plant Life Cycle	Perennial
Blooms In	Summer
Flower Color	Purple, White
Foliage Color	Green, Variegated
Pet Safety	Toxic to pets
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Plant Name	Hosta
Botanical Name	Hosta seiboldiana 'Frances Williams'
Species	seiboldiana
Cultivar	Frances Williams
Class	Asparagales
Does Not Ship To	AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

Frances Williams Hosta (Hosta 'Frances Williams') is an attention-getter for your shady garden. The large blue-green leaves have a splotched chartreuse edge and can grow to over a foot long and wide on their own! Bold shade garden additions, Hostas live large and live long!

Later in the summer, it'll send up stems of white bell-shaped flowers. They'll compliment the leafy green foliage very well and are great options for adding color to your shadier areas. Local Pollinators and hummingbirds both will adore these blooms as much as your vase bouquets will too! They are nectar-rich, with an "easy-access" shape, and they bloom at an important time of the season.

Hardy throughout USDA growing zones 3 to 9, Frances Williams grows 2-3 feet in height but spreads wide 3-4 feet in width! Adaptable and easy to grow, Hosta are fantastic for gardeners of all levels.

Planting and Application:

Frances Williams Hostas are not diminutive plants that daintily edge your planting beds. These monsters can get over fairly tall and up to two yards wide and will fill your shady bed without a second thought. So plant and plant accordingly!

Luckily, These perennials are certainly easy enough for beginners to gain success in the shade garden. Thoughtfully planned Shade Gardens can help you and your loved ones cultivate a rewarding hobby as serene nature watchers! You'll definitely want to plan a seating area near your shade garden to enjoy your space. Garden design professionals look for plants that give visual interest at every layer.

Frances Williams Hosta looks great when mixed with other shade-loving plants. They make any shady area more refined and full. Use as filler underneath your shade trees, whose canopies can sometimes leave you wondering what to do with the area below.

Enormous Bi-Color Foliage - Chartreuse Edged Green
White to Purple Blooms in Mid-Summer
Blooms are Held High in Summer
Pollinators & Hummingbirds Relish the Nectar
Edging Plants, Shaded Area Specimens & Large-Scale Accents

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Frances Williams loves the shade. In fact, too much sun can end up scorching the leaves. Keep them happy with well-drained soil that gets plenty of water during the growing season. The best way to water these Perennials is by getting under the leaves, directly on the soil, otherwise, the big leaves act like an umbrella and keep the water from going where you want it to. Almost completely pest and carefree, the only thing you'll want to keep an eye out for are slugs. Provide moderate yet consistent moisture throughout the growing season. Hosta appreciates a 3-4 inch thick layer of arborist mulch chips to help hold in moisture. Deadhead after flowers fade, and clean the foliage away from the plant once it dies back in the autumn.

Big Leaves & Color in Partial Shade to Full Shade
Easy to Grow In A Wide Variety of Soil
Moderate Moisture Needs
Long-Lived & Low-Maintenance
Textured Foliage Resists Pests & Slugs
Very Cold Hardy & Heat Tolerant
Divide Every 3-5 Years

You will definitely enjoy these big boys for years to come. Order a pair of Frances Williams Hosta's to finish your gardening projects today from Nature Hills Nursery.

Free shipping

On all orders over $199
Plant Sentry™

Compliant guaranteed
Easy returns

Hassle free returns policy
Live Chat

Talk to a real person

Growing Zones 3-9

Find Your Growing Zone!

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!