Liberty Hosta

Name: Liberty Hosta
Brand: Nature Hills Nursery
SKU: 15337
Price: 34.81 USD
Availability: InStock

Hosta 'Liberty'

Nature Hills Nursery

$34⁸¹

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In Stock

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Find your Growing Zone

Plant Size

#1 Container

Product variants

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Liberty Hosta performs best in partial to full shade, ideally receiving only 2 to 4 hours of gentle morning sun. Avoid harsh afternoon rays, which can scorch the wide yellow margins and turn them crispy and brown.
Soil: These plants crave rich, organic soil that holds moisture but does not stay swampy. If you have heavy clay, mix in a few handfuls of compost or leaf mold to improve drainage and prevent crown rot.

Watering Requirements

During the first year, provide about 1 inch of water per week to help the massive root system establish itself. Once mature, Liberty is relatively drought tolerant, but inconsistent moisture will cause the leaves to lose their luster and potentially shrink in size. Aim for deep soakings at the base of the plant rather than frequent light sprinkles to encourage deep root growth.

Pruning Tips

Since hostas grow from a central crown, they do not require traditional pruning, but you should remove spent flower stalks in midsummer to redirect energy back into the foliage. In late fall after a hard frost has turned the leaves yellow or brown, cut the entire plant back to ground level. This cleanup is vital because it removes the hiding places where slugs and snails like to over winter.

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 because this can stimulate soft, new growth that will not be hardy enough to survive the coming winter frosts.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4	Week of March 30th
Zone 5	Week of March 16th
Zone 6-12	Week of March 2nd

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.

Receiving rave reviews from experts, the gorgeous Liberty Hosta (Hosta 'Liberty') is a sport of the well-known variety 'Sagae'. It is considered by many to be the finest Hosta ever introduced! This medium-sized Hosta has dark blue-green leaves with a wide golden-yellow margin that fades to creamy white in the summer. It's so captivating to watch water bead up on the waxy textured leaves of Hosta, turning a rainy day into something special!

In late summer, each mounded and the tidy clump is topped with tall spikes (called scapes) of lavender flowers. These showy blooms attract Hummingbirds and butterflies which will come flocking to the trumpet-shaped flowers!

This Hosta has high slug resistance and is very easy to care for! No wonder it was chosen as the Hosta of the Year in 2012 by the American Hosta Growers Society! Hardy throughout USDA growing zones 3 to 8 and can grow a 2-foot tall and 3-foot wide fountain of lovely leaves.

Planting and Application:

Liberty is an outstanding specimen plant, covering bare areas of the garden with impressive greenery! Like all Hosta, it is most at home in shady, woodland settings and works well as an accent or edging plant! A colorful row of Liberty Hosta in front of your foundation plantings will give your curb appeal rave reviews among the neighbors! Or, grow a circlet around a specimen plant in your garden to make it stand out!

Perfect for shady Asian and Zen-inspired gardens, lending a cool and calming presence to areas for meditation and relaxation. In fact, nearly any garden design looks more peaceful with a few Hostas!

Contemporary plantings and informal cottage gardens alike will benefit from these large perennials. Borders look divine with long rows of Hosta, and so will the edges along beds, driveways, and shady paths.

Skirting trees with these lovely perennials boosts their appearance, and in return, the Hosta will benefit from the generous shade the trees or large shrubs provide. Large shrubs too will look immensely better having their bare stems hidden from view, without the worry about root competition!

Large planters and containers around your patio or shaded balcony will benefit from the graceful presence of these impressive plants.

Pollinator gardens and your Cottage gardens will get a traditional look with the addition of a few of these colorful perennials! Fringe the bases of hardscapes or ring pergolas or gazebos in lush foliage. For a truly unique spectacle, an en masse planting of Liberty Hosta will highlight woodland edges and shady swaths in lush green and gold.

Gorgeous Green Leaves with Creamy Golden Margins
Lush Textured Foliage & Mounding Clump-Forming Growth
Tall Lavender Blooms
Attracts Hummingbirds & Pollinators
Great Specimen Plant, Great Shade Garden & Edging Plant
American Hosta Society Award-Winner!

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Hostas grow in high-filtered or dappled sunlight. This is necessary for clean, healthy growth. The leaves need some morning sun to bring out the best coloration however, the hot afternoon sun will burn the leaves, especially in warmer growing zones. Plant Liberty in any moist, well-drained spot. It grows well in 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.

It is best to keep areas around Hostas clear of excess leaf debris, this way you can reduce the presence of slugs and snails. Once frosts arrive, Hosta is an herbaceous perennial that dies back to the ground and emerges again in early spring. Removing the old leaves in early winter will also prevent the spreading of any fungal issues.

A generous layer of mulch chips helps retain soil moisture as well as insulate the root system from heat and chill. Low maintenance and an easy care perennial, Liberty is one of the most versatile Hosta for landscaping.

Full Shade to Partial Shade
Moisture Loving Plant
Well-Drained Enriched Soil
Prune Late Fall
Extreme Cold Hardiness & Humidity Tolerant
Easy Care & Low Maintenance

Once you learn about the amazing blue-green and golden color that Liberty Hosta has to offer your landscape, we are convinced you will give it rave reviews as well! Be sure to order your own from Nature Hills Nursery today!

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Growing Zones 3-8

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much water does Liberty Hosta need, and how often should I water it?

Liberty Hosta needs consistent moisture but well-draining soil to thrive in zones 3-8. Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry, typically 1-2 times per week. Avoid overhead watering to prevent slug issues and water early morning so leaves dry before evening.

Is Liberty Hosta resistant to slugs and other pests like deer or rabbits?

Liberty Hosta has high slug resistance, making it much easier to grow than many other hosta varieties. While deer and rabbits may still browse hostas when food is scarce, the thick, waxy leaves provide some deterrence. For best results, plant in partial to full shade where this award-winning perennial thrives naturally - available at naturehills.com.

What are the planting instructions for Liberty Hosta when it arrives?

Plant Liberty Hosta in partial to full shade in well-draining soil after the last frost in zones 3-8. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and plant at the same depth it was growing in the container. Space plants 3 feet apart to accommodate its mature spread and water thoroughly after planting.

Will Liberty Hosta survive winter in zone 3 or zone 9?

Liberty Hosta is hardy in USDA zones 3-8, so it will survive winters in zone 3 but not in zone 9. This perennial needs a cold dormancy period and cannot tolerate the heat and lack of winter chill in zone 9. Choose a different heat-tolerant perennial for zone 9 gardens.

How do I care for Liberty Hosta in hot, humid southern climates?

Liberty Hosta thrives in hot, humid climates within its USDA zones 3-8 range. Provide afternoon shade and consistent moisture to prevent leaf scorch in southern heat. The waxy leaves handle humidity well, but ensure good air circulation around the 2-foot tall clumps to prevent fungal issues.

When and how should I divide or propagate Liberty Hosta?

Divide Liberty Hosta in early spring or fall when the plant is dormant. Cut through the crown with a sharp spade, ensuring each division has roots and 2-3 growing points. Wait until clumps reach maturity (3-4 years) before dividing for best results.