Hosta Coloured Festival

Hosta ‘Coloured Festival’ is a real showstopper for shady borders, prized for its bold, multi-toned foliage that looks like it’s been hand-painted. The leaves emerge with fresh spring colour, then develop into a striking mix of greens and creamy-yellow tones with contrasting margins, giving a bright, “lit-from-within” effect in darker areas of the garden. As summer arrives, tall stems carry elegant, tubular lavender flowers that are a magnet for bees and bring extra height and interest above the foliage.

Hostas are famously reliable, long-lived perennials and ‘Coloured Festival’ is no exception—hardy, easy-going and perfect for creating lush, architectural ground cover under trees, along shady paths, or in pots by the door where you’ll appreciate the leaf detail up close. They’re also one of the best plants for adding texture: those generous leaves help soften hard landscaping and make neighbouring plants look even better. Given the right conditions, a bare root Hosta quickly settles in and will bulk up year after year, forming an impressive clump that’s worth waiting for.

Planting Instructions

When to Plant:

Plant bare roots in spring (or early autumn), when the soil is workable and not frozen or waterlogged.

Where to Plant:
Choose a spot in partial shade or dappled shade with moisture-retentive, fertile soil. Hostas thrive in shady borders, woodland-style planting, and also do very well in pots where moisture can be managed easily. Avoid hot, full sun which can scorch leaves.

How to Plant:

• Depth: Plant so the crown (growing point) sits about 2–3 cm below the soil surface.
• Spacing: Space 45–60 cm (18–24 inches) apart to allow room for clumps to expand.
• Soil Prep: Enrich the planting area with well-rotted compost or leaf mould to help retain moisture and encourage strong growth.

Watering:
Water well after planting and keep the soil consistently moist during the first growing season. Hostas perform best when they don’t dry out—mulching helps conserve moisture and keeps roots cool.

Aftercare Tips:

• Apply a mulch of compost in spring to feed the plant and retain moisture.
• Remove any damaged leaves and cut back old foliage in autumn once it dies down.
• Divide mature clumps every 3–5 years in spring to rejuvenate plants and increase stock.
• Protect young shoots from slugs and snails in spring (the classic Hosta weakness).

Top Tip:
For the best display, plant Hosta ‘Coloured Festival’ where it will catch morning light or dappled sunshine—this helps bring out the leaf colour. It looks fantastic with ferns, Heuchera, Astilbe and Brunnera for a lush, layered shade scheme.

Plant Details

Flowering Period:

July - August

Height:
18–24" (45–60cm) (foliage mound, flowers taller)

Position:
Partial shade / dappled shade

Hardy Perennial