A Crisp White-Edged Gem for the Intimate Shade Garden
Dick and Jane Ward bred Hosta 'Emma' and registered it in 1999. It produces neat leaves with a clean, crisp white margin that holds through the season. The compact mound suits containers, shaded rock gardens, or the front edge of a border. It grows reliably across Canadian zones 3–9. This quietly elegant cultivar earns its place through precision and consistent charm.
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Crisp White Margin: A sharp, well-defined white edge frames each leaf cleanly, creating a bright, high-contrast accent in the shade garden that holds through the season.
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Compact and Tidy: Forming a neat mound 23 cm (9") high by 46 cm (18") wide, it is well-suited to small spaces, containers, and intimate garden settings.
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Stable Variegation: The white margin remains consistent and well-defined from spring through to frost, with clean contrast all season long.
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Summer Blooms: Pale purple to near-white flowers rise above the foliage in midsummer, adding a delicate seasonal accent to the variegated mound below.
| Feature |
Specification |
| Size (H × W) |
23 cm × 46 cm (9" × 18") |
| Hardiness Zone |
3–9 |
| Colour |
Green with a crisp white margin |
| Light Requirements |
Partial to full shade |
Grower's Tip: The white margin stays sharpest in consistent partial shade — avoid intense afternoon sun, which can scorch the white edge. At our Bécancour, QC trial fields, we confirm crisp, stable variegation before every plant ships True to Type.
