Images Depict Mature Plants
Empress Wu Hosta
Hosta x 'Empress Wu USPP20,774
Empress Wu Hosta is the hosta you plant when you want people to stop and ask what it is. The leaves get enormous, the plant has real presence, and it can anchor a shaded bed almost like a small shrub. I like it as a focal point under high-canopied trees or at the back of a woodland border with smaller hostas, ferns, and astilbes in front. Give it room, keep it watered, and plan for deer protection if browsing is common.
MEMORIAL DAY SALE 20% OFF
Use Code MEMORIALDAY20 at Checkout!
📦 Free shipping on orders over $99.
Delay shipping by leaving us a message at Checkout.
Share:
Massive Blue-Green Leaves for Dramatic Shade Garden Scale
One of the Largest Hostas for Shade Gardens.
Empress Wu Hosta is a giant shade perennial grown for its massive leaves, bold upright habit, and impressive garden presence. This is not a small filler hosta. It is a statement plant for gardeners who want dramatic foliage, cool blue-green color, and a strong focal point in shaded beds, woodland gardens, and large foundation plantings.
Huge Leaves with Deep Veining and Heavy Substance.
The foliage is the main attraction of Empress Wu Hosta. Its very large, thick leaves are blue-green to deep green with strong veining and a broad, sculptural look. Mature leaves can reach impressive sizes, giving the plant a tropical feel even in cool shade. The heavy leaf substance also helps the plant hold up better than many thinner-leaved hostas.
Pale Reddish-Violet Flowers in Midsummer.
In midsummer, Empress Wu Hosta produces pale reddish-violet to mauve-lilac flowers on upright scapes above the foliage. The blooms add seasonal height and may attract hummingbirds to the shade garden. While this hosta is primarily grown for its foliage, the flowers provide a soft contrast to the giant leaves and add movement during the summer season.
A Specimen Hosta with Serious Landscape Presence.
Empress Wu Hosta works beautifully as a specimen plant, woodland garden anchor, shaded border backdrop, large container feature, or mass planting where space allows. Use it under high-canopied trees, near shaded patios, along wide woodland paths, or at the back of mixed shade beds. Pair it with ferns, astilbe, heuchera, hellebores, brunnera, carex, Japanese forest grass, bleeding heart, and smaller variegated hostas for contrast.
Low Maintenance with Deer and Slug Awareness.
Empress Wu Hosta is easy to grow in part shade to full shade with fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Its thick foliage may offer good slug resistance compared with thinner-leaved hostas, but slug damage can still occur in damp shade. Deer commonly browse hostas, so use protection in high-deer areas. Give this giant hosta consistent moisture, organic matter, and enough room to develop its full size.
| Hardiness Zone: | 3-9 |
|---|---|
| Mature Height: | 36 to 48 Inches |
| Mature Width: | 36 to 48 Inches |
| Sunlight | Part shade to full shade |
| Soil | Fertile, moist, well-drained soil; adaptable to normal, sandy, or clay soils with good moisture |
| Water | Average to consistent; keep evenly moist, especially during establishment and dry periods |
| Bloom Time / Color | Midsummer; pale reddish-violet to mauve-lilac flowers |
| Foliage | Massive blue-green to deep green leaves with deep veining and heavy substance |
| Ornamental Features | Giant foliage, deeply veined leaves, upright cascading habit, specimen value, bold shade texture |
| Wildlife Value | Flowers may attract hummingbirds and pollinators |
| Resistance | Good slug resistance for a hosta; deer may browse foliage |
| Landscape UsesLandscape Uses | Shade borders, woodland gardens, specimen plantings, mass plantings, large containers, shaded foundations, focal points, background plantings |
How to Care for Empress Wu Hosta
Be sure to read our planting instructions to ensure a healthy and happy Hosta ‘Empress Wu’ plant for years to come!
How should I plant Empress Wu Hosta?
Plant Empress Wu Hosta in part shade to full shade where the soil is fertile, moist, and well drained. Choose a site with plenty of room because this is a giant hosta that can spread 5 to 6 feet wide at maturity. Avoid hot afternoon sun, especially in warmer climates, because too much direct sun can stress the foliage. Dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Set the crown level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently with native soil blended with compost or topsoil, and water thoroughly. Add a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch around the plant to conserve moisture and keep roots cool, keeping mulch slightly pulled back from the crown.
How often should I water Empress Wu Hosta after planting?
Water Empress Wu Hosta deeply after planting and keep the soil evenly moist through the first growing season. Large hostas have broad leaves and perform best when the root zone does not dry out severely, especially during plant establishment and new foliage production. Once established, water during dry spells to maintain full, healthy leaves. Deep watering once a week is often better than frequent shallow watering, but plants growing in containers, under tree roots, or in brighter light may need more frequent watering. Consistent moisture is especially important while this giant hosta is sizing up.
-v1778850424343.png?90x89){kind=icon}
When should I fertilize Empress Wu Hosta?
Fertilize Empress Wu Hosta in spring as new shoots begin to emerge. Use a balanced slow-release fertilizer, a light topdressing of compost, or an organic fertilizer suitable for perennials. This supports the large foliage and helps the plant develop a broad, vigorous clump. Avoid heavy late-season fertilizing. Stop feeding several weeks before frost so the plant can harden off naturally before winter dormancy. Rich soil, steady moisture, and proper shade placement are more important than heavy fertilizer for long-term hosta performance.
When and how should I prune Empress Wu Hosta?
Remove spent flower scapes after blooming for a cleaner look. The foliage should remain in place through the growing season because it feeds the crown and helps the plant store energy for the following year. Cut back dead foliage in late fall after frost or in early spring before new growth emerges. Remove damaged or slug-chewed leaves as needed during the season. Divide mature clumps in spring or early fall only when necessary, because large hostas like Empress Wu can remain undisturbed for years when given enough space.
