{"product_id":"hosta-almost","title":"Hosta 'Almost' | Intense Red Pigments in a Small-Stature Cultivar","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong style=\"font-size: 0.875rem;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 16.0pt; font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;\"\u003eA Vibrant Beacon of Glossy Green and Red\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHosta 'Almost' is a striking, small-stature cultivar that perfectly captures the beauty of partial colour transitions in the shade garden. A 2005 seedling of \u003cstrong\u003eHosta 'Cinnamon Sticks'\u003c\/strong\u003e, this variety was hybridized by the legendary \u003cstrong\u003eArthur Wrede\u003c\/strong\u003e, who was renowned for his quest to develop hostas with intense red pigments. It features glossy, apple-green leaves with very prominent veining that catch the light beautifully. The name 'Almost' is a playful nod to the plant's signature trait: vibrant red petioles where the saturated beet-red colour bleeds nearly halfway up the central veins of the leaf, creating a stunning visual contrast against the shiny green foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy It Stands Out\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVibrant Red Petioles:\u003c\/strong\u003e Features deep red stems where the pigment \"bleeds\" significantly up the leaf centre veins.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGlossy Apple-Green Foliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e The leaves possess a high-shine finish and prominent veining that accentuates the red highlights.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStunning Floral Contrast:\u003c\/strong\u003e In late summer, purple flowers emerge on sturdy red scapes, providing a dramatic vertical display.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompact Architectural Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Maturing into a neat, small mound, it is an ideal choice for rock gardens or the front of a shady border.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding Potential:\u003c\/strong\u003e Its intense red scapes and viable red seed pods make it a prized selection for hybridizers looking to push the boundaries of red-pigmented hostas.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical Specs\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFeature\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetails\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e25 cm Height \/ 45 cm Width\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zone\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCanadian Zones 3–9\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColour\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGlossy Green with Red-veined centre; Purple flowers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePartial Shade to Full Shade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrower's Tip\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo truly highlight the \"bleeding red\" of 'Almost,' plant it in a location where the leaf bases are visible, such as a raised bed or a slightly elevated garden edge. The glossy green leaves handle our Quebec summers with ease, but the red pigment remains most vibrant when protected from the harshest afternoon sun. At our nursery in \u003cstrong\u003eBécancour, QC\u003c\/strong\u003e, we take immense pride in this Arthur Wrede masterpiece. We wait until the specific red-to-green transition and the shiny leaf texture are fully evident before we certify each plant as \u003cstrong\u003eTrue to Type\u003c\/strong\u003e. This verification ensures you receive an authentic, established plant ready to bring its unique, high-contrast charm to your Canadian landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hosta Choice Gardens | Canada","offers":[{"title":"4.7\" pot (2nd year plants)","offer_id":47806297342204,"sku":"A-1018-4","price":22.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Trade 1 gallon (1-2 eye plants)","offer_id":48801536639228,"sku":"A-1018-1G","price":22.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0692\/8249\/6764\/files\/hosta-almost-hosta-leaf-closeup-jpg.jpg?v=1743953830","url":"https:\/\/www.hostachoicegardens.ca\/en-ca\/products\/hosta-almost","provider":"Hosta Choice Gardens ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}