Product Description
Hosta 'When I Dream' PP34285 (20)ct Flat
Exciting medio-variegated hybrid of H. 'Empress Wu' and H. 'Queen of the Seas'. Large creamy white centered leaves have very wide rippled blue-green margins. Chartreuse jetting separates center and margin colors. Although not as large as the pod parent, 'When I Dream' still reaches an impressive landscape size and will be a head-turning performer in the garden. White flowers appear over the mounded habit in early to midsummer.
Hostas are exceedingly popular perennials in today's gardens due to their versatility in the landscape. Their subtle colors, tall flower scapes, and broad, coarse leaves fill a niche in garden designs that few other plants can achieve. Their large leaves provide excellent coverage for dying bulb foliage. Hostas also grow well in city environments where the air may be polluted by car exhaust, etc.
Hostas grow best in moist, well-drained, highly organic soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Sandy loam is better than clay because it provides more aeration for the roots. High-filtered or dappled sunlight is necessary for clean, healthy growth. Morning sun is tolerable and will help to intensify the leaf colors, but hot afternoon sun is usually deadly to hostas. They are most at home in shady, woodland settings and often work well as specimen or edging plants.
Especially in northern zones, hostas should be mulched with a layer of finely shredded organic material to prevent heaving in the winter. Mulch is beneficial because it retains moisture around the plant's roots, but it is also the ideal place for slugs to hide. Watch for holes in the center of the leaves. If they are present, so are slugs. Applying a slug bait in early spring when new shoots are beginning to emerge will help to reduce the slug population. After a few years when plants are firmly established, the mulch can be removed completely, which should eliminate the slug problem altogether. Also be sure to clean all hosta foliage out of the garden in early winter after the plants have gone dormant. By doing so, you will be ridding the area of the eggs of slugs and other leaf-eating insects.
Height: 28.0 Inches
Spread: 62.0 Inches
Scape Height: 27.0-34.0 Inches
Hardiness Zones: 3,4,5,6,7,8,9
Flower Color: White Shades
Foliage Color: Variegated
Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun) to Full Shade (< 4 hrs. Direct Sun)
Average to Consistent Water Needs
Average to Fertile Soil Quality
Bloomtime: Early Summer to Midsummer
Attracts Hummingbirds
Growth Rate: Medium
Border Plant, Container, Cut Foliage, Easy To Grow, Attractive Foliage, Specimen, Focal Point
Hosta 'When I Dream' is a truly captivating hosta with its unique and ever-changing foliage. Here is a breakdown of what makes it so special:
What Makes Hosta 'When I Dream' Special
- Dynamic Foliage: The leaves are a work of art, with a blue-green margin surrounding a chartreuse center. As the season progresses, the chartreuse center transitions to a creamy yellow, while segments of lime green fill in, creating a mesmerizing "pixelated" or painterly effect.
- Textural Interest: The leaves are not only colorful but also slightly bumpy or puckered with wavy edges, adding another layer of visual appeal.
- Large and Mounding: 'When I Dream' forms a large, mounding clump, making it a substantial presence in the garden.
- White Flowers with Lavender Tinge: In early to mid-summer, it sends up tall flower stalks with white blooms that are tinged with lavender, adding a delicate touch.
- Slug Resistant (to some degree): While no hosta is completely immune to slugs, the thicker leaves of 'When I Dream' offer some resistance.
Description and Details
- Common Name: When I Dream Hosta
- Botanical Name: Hosta 'When I Dream'
- Mature Size: 28 inches tall, 60 inches wide
- Foliage: Blue-green margins with chartreuse centers that transition to creamy yellow and lime green
- Flowers: White with a lavender tinge, blooming in early to mid-summer
- Growth Habit: Large, mounding
- Hardiness Zones: 3-9
- Light: Partial shade to shade
- Soil: Moist, well-drained, rich in organic matter
- Water: Water regularly, especially during dry periods
Landscaping Design Tips
- Specimen Plant: Its unique foliage and substantial size make it an excellent specimen plant, where it can be the star of the show.
- Back of the Border: It is also well-suited for the back of borders, where it can provide a backdrop for shorter plants.
- Shade Gardens: It thrives in shade gardens, where its colorful foliage can brighten up the space.
- Woodland Gardens: It is a natural choice for woodland gardens, where it can mingle with other shade-loving plants.
- Companion Plants: Consider pairing them with other shade-loving plants with contrasting colors and textures, such as:
- Ferns
- Astilbes
- Heucheras
- Tiarella
Planting and Care
- Planting:
- Choose a shady location with moist, well-drained soil.
- Plant in spring or fall.
- Space plants according to their mature size (about 3-5 feet apart).
- Water thoroughly after planting.
- Care:
- Water regularly, especially during dry periods.
- Fertilize lightly in spring if desired.
- Remove any damaged or dead leaves in spring.
- Divide clumps every few years to prevent overcrowding and rejuvenate the plant.
Additional Notes
- 'When I Dream' is a relatively new hosta variety, registered in 2020.
- It is a hybrid of the popular hosta 'Empress Wu'.
- It is a great choice for gardeners looking for a unique and eye-catching hosta with dynamic foliage.
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!
