A Vibrant Beacon of Glossy Green and Red
Hosta 'Almost' is a striking small-stature cultivar from hybridizer Arthur Wrede, renowned for his quest to develop hostas with intense red pigments. Wrede introduced it in 2005 as a seedling of H. 'Cinnamon Sticks'. The glossy apple-green leaves feature prominent veining and vivid red petioles where the beet-red pigment bleeds nearly halfway up the central veins. It performs reliably across Canadian hardiness zones 3 through 9. The name is a playful nod to that signature trait — the red almost makes it all the way up.
-
Red Petioles: Deep red stems where the pigment bleeds significantly up the leaf centre veins, creating a stunning contrast against the shiny green foliage.
-
Foliage: Glossy apple-green leaves with a high-shine finish and prominent veining that catches light beautifully throughout the season.
-
Flowers: Purple blooms on sturdy red scapes in late summer, adding a dramatic vertical display above the compact mound.
-
Habit: Neat, small mound — ideal for rock gardens, containers, or the front of a shaded border.
-
Breeding Value: Intense red scapes and viable red seed pods make it a prized selection for hybridizers pushing the boundaries of red-pigmented hostas.
-
Size: 25 cm (10") tall × 45 cm (18") wide.
-
Hardiness: Zones 3–9 — reliably cold-hardy across Canada.
| Feature |
Specification |
| Size (H × W) |
25 cm × 45 cm (10" × 18") |
| Hardiness Zone |
3–9 |
| Colour |
Glossy green with red-veined centre; purple flowers |
| Light Requirements |
Partial to full shade |
Grower's Tip: 'Almost' handles Canadian winters with ease from Zone 3 through 9, and the red pigment stays most vibrant when protected from harsh afternoon sun. At our nursery in Bécancour, QC, we wait until the red-to-green transition and shiny leaf texture are fully evident before shipping. Our True to Type standard means you receive the authentic Arthur Wrede selection.
