Playful Spirals and Glossy Green Geometry for the Shady Border
Hosta 'Contortionist' is a compact green hosta bred by Tony Avent from a cross between an unnamed seedling and H. 'Caesar Salad'. Registered in 2023, it was selected for its distinctive twisted leaf tips and moderately rippled margins that give the plant its animated, sculptural character. Both leaf surfaces carry a subtle sheen that catches light even in deeper shade. It performs reliably across Canadian hardiness zones 3–9, making it well suited to most growing regions. Its compact size and eye-catching form make it an ideal choice for container gardens, troughs, and the front of shady borders.
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Twisted foliage: Medium green leaves with moderately rippled margins and a unique twisting habit at the leaf tips that gives this cultivar its name.
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Subtle sheen: Both upper and lower leaf surfaces have a slight gloss, allowing the plant to catch light and stand out even in deeper shade positions.
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Compact mound: Reaches approximately 32 cm (12.5") in height and 64 cm (25") in width, forming a tidy, architectural mound suited to smaller spaces.
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Container ready: Its compact scale and intricate leaf detail make it an outstanding choice for decorative pots and troughs where the twisted tips can be appreciated up close.
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Lavender flowers: Produces lavender blooms in midsummer on upright scapes above the foliage mound.
| Feature |
Specification |
| Size (H × W) |
32 cm × 64 cm (12.5" × 25") |
| Hardiness Zone |
3–9 |
| Colour |
Polished medium green |
| Light Requirements |
Partial to full shade |
Grower's Tip: The intricate leaf curvature of this cultivar is best appreciated at eye level — consider a raised container or trough to showcase the twisted tips. We wait for each plant to fully emerge in our cool Québec spring before shipping, verifying the signature twist and ripple at our trial fields in Bécancour, QC. Every plant leaves True to Type, so those famous contorted tips arrive perfectly developed.
