A Ruffled Ballerina for the Shady Stage
Kevin Vaughn introduced Hosta 'Tutu' in 1992, bringing a sense of movement to the Canadian shade garden. Its parentage is thought to involve Hosta 'Donahue's Piecrust' crossed with Hosta pycnophylla, though this remains unconfirmed. The large leaves feature a gentle undulation at the margins, mimicking the outspread form of a ballerina's skirt. Foliage emerges grey-green in spring and transitions to a vibrant, shiny medium green by mid-summer. A heavy wax coating on the undersides creates a brilliant white contrast that catches the light as the leaves ruffle.
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Ballet-Inspired Form: Its outspread growth habit creates a layered silhouette that resembles a tutued dancer centre-stage.
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Distinctly Ruffled Margins: A prominent undulation along the leaf edges adds texture and motion to the shade border.
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Striking White Undersides: A heavy wax coating on the leaf bottom creates a brilliant white contrast against the green upper surface.
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Glossy Seasonal Shift: Transitions from a matte, waxy grey-green in spring to a lustrous, shiny green by mid-summer.
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Late Summer Blooms: Elegant light lavender flowers appear in August, attracting pollinators to your woodland garden.
| Feature |
Specification |
| Size (H × W) |
45–50 cm × 110–120 cm (18" × 43–47") |
| Hardiness Zone |
3–8 |
| Colour |
Grey-green to shiny medium green with white undersides |
| Light Requirements |
Partial to full shade |
Grower's Tip: Plant 'Tutu' on a gentle slope or at the front of a raised bed so its white leaf undersides catch the light as the foliage ruffles in the breeze. It handles Canadian winters reliably from Zone 3 through 8 and performs beautifully from Victoria, BC to Halifax, NS. At our nursery in Bécancour, QC, we watch for those signature ruffled margins and distinct white leaf-backs each spring before shipping. Our True to Type standard means you receive the authentic Hosta 'Tutu', verified before it leaves Bécancour.
