A Prize-Winning Silhouette for the Canadian Garden
Awarded a prestigious blue ribbon at the 2009 New England Hosta Society's "First Look" competition, Hosta 'Barracuda' is a sophisticated 2011 registration from Chick Wasitis and Bridgewood Gardens. This small-category standout is prized for its elegant, elongated form, featuring narrow, lance-shaped leaves that reach up to 18 cm in length. The dark forest-green foliage is framed by a crisp, clean white margin, while the heavily waved edges provide a sense of fluid movement to the garden floor. From the humid summers of Southern Ontario to the cooler maritime breezes of the East Coast, its unique "toothed" texture and refined variegation offer a modern architectural look that deviates from the standard rounded hosta shape.
Why It Stands Out
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Award-Winning Texture: Recognized for its superior form and striking, wavy-edged foliage that ripples like water in the shade.
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Narrow Lance-Shaped Leaves: The 18 cm long, slender blades provide a sharp, linear contrast to broader-leaved garden companions.
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High-Contrast Variegation: Features deep green centres accented by a brilliant white edge that remains vibrant all season long.
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Symmetrical Low Mound: Reaches a tidy 38 cm height with a generous 75 cm spread, making it a perfect choice for edging or mass plantings.
Technical Specifications
| Feature |
Details |
| Size (Height) |
38 cm (15 inches) |
| Size (Width) |
75 cm (30 inches) |
| Hardiness Zone |
Canadian Zones 3–9 |
| Colour |
Dark green with white margins |
| Light Requirements |
Partial Shade to Full Shade |
Grower's Tip
To truly highlight the award-winning ripples of 'Barracuda', plant it where its low, wide-spreading habit can be appreciated along a stone path or at the front of a border. At Hosta Choice Gardens, we take the time to monitor the specific wave pattern and margin clarity in our Bécancour fields to ensure every specimen is True to Type before shipping. This careful observation ensures that the vigorous, 7-to-8-vein-pair foliage is fully established and ready to produce its medium lavender flowers in your own Canadian sanctuary.
