Product Description
Hosta 'Frog in My Throat' PPAF(20)ct Flat
Hosta 'Frog in My Throat' is a fascinating and highly desirable new cultivar, known for its unique, multi-speckled variegation and dramatic color transformation throughout the season. Discovered as a white-centered sport of Hosta 'Emperor's New Clothes' (which is itself a sport of the giant Hosta 'Empress Wu'), this variety retains a bold, large-leafed heritage but in a more manageable size.
The name perfectly captures its unusual speckled appearance, which mimics the mottled, green-and-white skin of an amphibian. This hosta is a true collector's gem, and its availability is often extremely limited.
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Trait |
Measurement / Detail |
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Parentage |
Sport of Hosta 'Emperor's New Clothes' (grandchild of 'Empress Wu') |
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Mature Height |
18 - 22 Inches |
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Spread |
36 - 42 Inches (Forms a unique, beautiful mound) |
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Foliage Color |
Strikingly Variegated/Multicolored |
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Seasonal Foliage Change |
Emerges in spring with creamy-white centers, lightly speckled with green. The centers gradually accumulate more green flecking throughout the season, ensuring vigorous growth. |
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Leaf Appearance |
Wavy and slightly twisted with a wide, dark green margin and a creamy-white center misted with green flecking. Margins show a reverse light-colored flecking pattern. |
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Flower Color |
Near White or Purple/Lavender (Depending on source/maturity) |
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Bloom Time |
Early Summer |
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Growth Rate |
Medium |
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Attracts |
Hummingbirds |
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Rarity |
Considered Rare and Extremely Limited (Highly sought-after) |
Native Habitat
As a cultivated hybrid and sport, 'Frog in My Throat' does not have a native habitat. The parent genus, Hosta, is native to the woodlands of northeast Asia, including Japan, Korea, and China. This background makes all Hostas naturally suited for shady, woodland garden settings.
Planting and Cultivation
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Requirement |
Detail |
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Hardiness Zones |
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 (Extremely cold-hardy) |
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Sunlight |
Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun) to Full Shade (< 4 hrs. Direct Sun). Dappled or high-filtered sunlight is ideal for clean, healthy growth. Avoid hot afternoon sun, which will scorch the leaves. |
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Soil Quality |
Moist, well-drained, highly organic soil. A sandy loam is better than clay for root aeration. |
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Soil Chemistry |
Prefers Acidic to Neutral (pH 5.5 to 7.5). |
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Water Needs |
Average to Consistent water needs. Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. |
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Maintenance |
Easy to Grow once established. Mulch in northern zones to prevent winter heaving. |
Advanced Cultivation Tips
- Color Intensity: Morning sun is tolerable and can help intensify the variegated leaf colors, but strictly limit exposure to the harsh mid-day and afternoon sun.
- Fertilization: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring as new shoots emerge to support vigorous leaf development.
Landscaping Design Tips
The bold variegation and large spread of 'Frog in My Throat' make it an ideal choice for adding drama, light, and texture to the shade garden.
Mass Planting & Edging
- Brighten Shade: Plant in massings (groups of 3 or more) to illuminate dark, shady corners or woodland borders. The creamy-white centers will appear to glow against the dark green margins.
- Border Definition: Use this medium-large variety as a dramatic border plant or specimen along a pathway edge where its unique pattern can be easily admired.
- Contrast Pairing: Combine with plants that offer a fine texture and contrasting color, such as Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa), Ferns (like Athyrium 'Lady in Red'), or dark-leaved Heuchera (Coral Bells).
Focal Point & Containers
- Specimen Plant: Due to its rarity and dramatic foliage, 'Frog in My Throat' is best used as a specimen or focal point in a prominent location.
- Container Gardening: It is an excellent choice for Patio Containers or decorative pots, allowing the gardener to control its soil and moisture. Its medium-large size makes it a superb Thriller in a mixed-shade planter.
Pest and Disease Management
- Slugs and Snails: Hostas are susceptible to slugs and snails, which leave telltale holes in the leaves.
- Control: Apply slug bait in early spring as new shoots emerge. Hand-picking at night with a flashlight is also effective.
- Prevention: Remove all dormant Hosta foliage from the garden in late fall/early winter to remove overwintering insect eggs.
- Deer and Rabbits: While deer and rabbits may occasionally browse, this hosta is often considered somewhat more critter-resistant than thinner-leaved varieties due to the texture and eventual green-up of the leaf center, though vigilance is still advised.
Other Details
The most important part of the plant is its root system. Healthy roots are the foundation of a healthy, vibrant plant. The type of plug container used is based on the specific needs of the plants. Perennials offered as bare root traditionally perform better when planted as bare root.Planted in a specialized mix, potted plants have well established root systems. Top growth stage will vary depending on the current life cycle and time of year when shipped. In Winter and early Spring dormant plants may be shipped. Dormant plants may be planted right away, even before the last frost date.
Most bare root varieties are field grown for at least one season, though Hemerocallis and Hosta are grown for two seasons. The bulk of the soil is removed during the harvesting process and the tops of most varieties are trimmed back to the crown. They are graded, packed in shredded aspen or sphagnum moss and stored in freezers until ready to be shipped.
See our Container Sizes and Bare Root Perennials pages for more information.
Plant information and care is provided in the Overview section, Plant Genus Page and general information is provided in the Planting Care & Guides. Additional questions can be asked on each Plant page.
Plant Spacing: Using the maximum mature spread or width of a plant to guide spacing, ensures space to grow to full size. To fill an area sooner, plant them closer together. Just remember, future thinning or transplanting may be needed.
Water: Keep a close eye on newly planted perennials, especially throughout the first growing year. Most early plant loss is due to too much or too little water!
