A Quirky Chartreuse Gem Named for a True Enthusiast
Hosta 'Jim Hawes' is a distinctive medium-sized cultivar and a seedling of H. pycnophylla, named in honour of ardent hosta enthusiast Jim Hawes. The foliage emerges in a bright, slightly chartreuse yellow in spring, shifting to a richer chartreuse through summer and settling into a refreshing limey chartreuse by season's end — resisting any fade to darker green tones. Each leaf bears tiny ripples and curled tips that give it a quirky, sculptural charm unlike any other chartreuse in the border. It performs reliably across Canadian hardiness zones 3 through 9.
-
Seasonal Colour: Bright chartreuse yellow in spring shifting to limey chartreuse by late summer — a dynamic, season-long colour journey that never fades to green.
-
Leaf Form: Rippled leaves with distinctively curled tips and red petioles — an unusual, sculptural silhouette with multiple points of ornamental interest.
-
Leaf Backs: White undersides add a two-toned quality visible when leaves catch the breeze.
-
Flowers: Bluish-purple striped blooms — a rare and elegant floral display that seldom sets seed, keeping this cultivar a true collector's find.
-
Size: 43 cm (17") tall × 76 cm (30") wide — a tidy medium mound with strong presence.
-
Hardiness: Zones 3–9 — reliably cold-hardy across Canada.
| Feature |
Specification |
| Size (H × W) |
43 cm × 76 cm (17" × 30") |
| Hardiness Zone |
3–9 |
| Colour |
Chartreuse yellow to limey chartreuse |
| Light Requirements |
Partial to full shade |
Grower's Tip: 'Jim Hawes' handles Canadian winters with ease from Zone 3 through 9, and its chartreuse colour holds best with some protection from harsh afternoon sun. At our nursery in Bécancour, QC, we verify the signature rippled texture, curled tips, and chartreuse colouration before shipping. Our True to Type standard means you receive the authentic H. pycnophylla seedling selection — a genuine collector's hosta.
