A Majestic Arch of Sculpted Emerald and Gold
Hosta 'Arc de Triomphe' is a grand-scale masterpiece that truly lives up to its triumphal name. Registered by the late Dr. Ed Elslager in 2000, this sophisticated hybrid of H. 'Foxy Doxy' and H. hypoleuca is considered one of his finest achievements. It features an elegant, arching habit with large, heart-shaped leaves that emerge in a deep blue-green, framed by a wide, wavy yellow margin. As the Canadian summer progresses, the margins transition to a clean, creamy white, while the centres deepen into a rich, dark emerald. Inheriting the best traits of its H. hypoleuca parentage, the foliage is slightly corrugated and convex, often turning up at the edges to reveal a striking, chalky-white (glaucous) underside.
Why It Stands Out
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Dynamic Colour Evolution: The variegation shifts beautifully throughout the season, transforming from a spring yellow-on-blue-green to a sophisticated white-on-dark-green by mid-July.
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Unique Upright Presence: The leaves are often cupped at the base and folded at the mid-rib, creating a welcoming, architectural silhouette that captures the eye.
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Stunning Glaucous Undersides: A hidden treasure for the discerning gardener, the silvery-white undersides of the leaves provide a luminous contrast when the edges curl upward.
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Stately Summer Blooms: In mid-summer, tall, upright spikes of pale lavender flowers emerge, providing a graceful vertical accent above the dense foliage mound.
Technical Specs
| Feature |
Details |
| Size |
60–75 cm Height / 90 cm Spread (24–30" H / 36" W) |
| Hardiness Zone |
Standard Canadian Zones 3–8 |
| Colour |
Dark green to blue-green with wavy yellow to white margins |
| Light Requirements |
Partial Shade to Full Shade |
Grower's Tip
To fully appreciate the graceful arching habit of Hosta 'Arc de Triomphe', give it a prominent location in a woodland border where its large-scale presence won't be crowded. This variety is known to be slow to increase, meaning patience is rewarded as it reaches its full, majestic maturity over several years. At our nursery in Bécancour, we monitor these large specimens closely during spring emergence to verify the health and clarity of their signature wavy margins. This True to Type verification ensures you receive a vigorous, verified plant that is ready to anchor your landscape for decades.
