A Gourmet Fusion of Ruby Stems and Frosted Emerald
Hosta 'Delicious' is a sport of Hosta 'Vivacious', introduced by hybridizer Mark Zilis and registered in 2012. Its semi-upright habit lifts the foliage to reveal one of the shade garden's most striking details: vibrant wine-red petioles. Medium green leaves are framed by a crisp, creamy white margin with moderate waving and light corrugation. It is hardy across Canadian zones 3–9 and performs reliably in a wide range of climates. Use it as a mid-border accent or in a raised bed where the red stems can be fully appreciated.
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Striking Red Petioles: The semi-upright mound ensures the wine-red stems are clearly visible, providing a stunning contrast to the green foliage above.
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Crisp White Margins: Each medium green leaf is framed by a precise, creamy white margin that stays sharp and clean throughout the season.
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Textured Appeal: Ovate leaves feature moderate waving and light corrugation, adding visual depth to the semi-upright form.
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Late Summer Purple: Tubular, medium purple flowers emerge in August, offering a rich pop of colour just as other shade perennials begin to fade.
| Feature |
Specification |
| Size (H × W) |
41 cm × 97 cm (16" × 38") |
| Hardiness Zone |
3–9 |
| Colour |
Medium green with creamy white margins and wine-red petioles |
| Light Requirements |
Partial to full shade |
Grower's Tip: To get the most from the red petioles, plant Hosta 'Delicious' at eye level on a slope or in a raised bed where its stems are easily seen. At our Bécancour trial fields, we pay close attention to stem colour saturation and margin clarity during the spring flush to ensure every specimen is True to Type before shipping across the country.
