Hosta ‘Curly Fries’

 

Plant of the Month August 2026

GENERAL INFORMATION: 

Hosta of the Year 2016. A chance seedling, introduced in 2008, from the usually sterile Hosta ‘Pineapple Upsidedown Cake’ and an unknown cultivar. It does not look like a Hosta! There are several interesting sports and progeny. ‘Silly String’ looks great!

Life Cycle: Perennial herb.

Leaves: Narrow, undulating leaves, bright yellow-green, 14 cm long x 2 cm wide, with a very reddish small petiole. The leaves become paler in the late summer.

Hosta ‘Curly Fries’.

Bloom Time: July, August in Southern Ontario.

Flower Colour & Size: small lavender bells dropping from a purplish stem. Many gardeners remove them as they detract from the leaves.

Habitat: Garden cultivar, not found in the wild.

CULTIVATION: 

Light: Partial shade to full shade. It will grow in full sun with afternoon shade.

Water:  Moderate. It dislikes drought, especially when first planted. 

Soil: Average, well drained organic soils, well mulched.

USDA Hardiness: Zones 3 - 9.

Pests and Diseases: Slug resistant!

Companion planting: Other small hostas.

Propagation: by division.

Toxicity: Tolerant of air pollution.

References: 

https://laidbackgardener.blog/2016/05/13/hosta-of-the-year-2016/

 

Text and images supplied by Anna Leggatt, Toronto Master Gardener.