‘Hacksaw’ Hosta

BY: Elizabeth Noll

With hostas, it’s all in the details. The casual observer sees only leaves. Lots of boring leaves. But hosta lovers see blue leaves, blue-green leaves, yellow leaves, variegated leaves, deeply corrugated leaves…and so on. ‘Hacksaw’ hosta is a crossover plant—it will appeal both to shoulder-shruggers and hostaphiles. Extremely long, narrow leaves with dramatically undulating piecrust edges make this an eccentric, showy plant that appears to have sprouted hacksaws in place of foliage. It also bears loads of lavender flowers in the summer. ‘Hacksaw’ will stand out whether it’s the lone hosta in a shady flowerbed or one of 50 in a hosta-only garden.

Common name: ‘Hacksaw’ hosta
Botanical name: Hosta ‘Hacksaw’
Plant type: Perennial
Zones: 3 to 9
Height: 9 inches tall, 28 inches wide
Family: Liliaceae

Growing conditions
• Sun: Full shade to part shade
• Soil: Average, well-drained
• Moisture: Medium to moist

Care
• Mulch: Mulch to preserve moisture in the soil.
• Pruning: None needed.
• Fertilizer: None needed.

Propagation
• By division

Garden notes
• Plant ‘Hacksaw’ with other shade lovers like coral bells, ferns, foamflower, and hellebores. Since it’s a low-growing plant, put it near the front of the border, where your view of it won’t be blocked by a larger plant.
• Hostas can be used in the shade garden, in a woodland garden, or as a ground cover. Or plant it near your spring bulbs so it hides their fading foliage.

All in the family
• There are about 70 species in the genus Hosta, mostly from Asia and Russia.
• Other familiar members of Liliaceae, the lily family, include amaryllis, asparagus, daffodils, daylilies, garlic, onions, and Solomon’s seal.

Where to buy
• Klehm’s Song Sparrow Nursery, Avalon, WI, 800-553-3715, www.songsparrow.com
• Made in the Shade, Olathe, KS, 913-206-6939, www.hostaguy.com
• Plant Delights Nursery Inc., Raleigh, NC, 919-772-4794, www.plantdelights.com

(Photo of Hosta ‘Hacksaw’ courtesy of Shady Oaks Nursery)

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‘Hacksaw’ Hosta

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Current Articles \| Archives \| Search ‘Hacksaw’ Hosta Plant of the Week BY: Elizabeth Noll 1 With hostas, it’s all in the details. The casual observer sees only leaves. Lots of boring leaves. But hosta lovers see blue leaves, blue-green leaves, yellow leaves, variegated leaves, deeply corrugated leaves…and so on. ‘Hacksaw’ hosta is a crossover plant—it will appeal both to shoulder-shruggers and hostaphiles. Extremely long, narrow leaves with dramatically undulating piecrust edges make this an eccentric, showy plant that appears to have sprouted hacksaws in place of foliage. It also bears loads of lavender flowers in the summer. ‘Hacksaw’ will stand out whether it’s the lone hosta in a shady flowerbed or one of 50 in a hosta-only garden. Common name: ‘Hacksaw’ hosta Botanical name: Hosta ‘Hacksaw’ Plant type: Perennial Zones: 3 to 9 Height: 9 inches tall, 28 inches wide Family: Liliaceae Growing conditions • Sun: Full shade to part shade • Soil: Average, well-drained • Moisture: Medium to moist Care • Mulch: Mulch to preserve moisture in the soil. • Pruning: None needed. • Fertilizer: None needed. Propagation • By division Garden notes • Plant ‘Hacksaw’ with other shade lovers like coral bells, ferns, foamflower, and hellebores. Since it’s a low-growing plant, put it near the front of the border, where your view of it won’t be blocked by a larger plant. • Hostas can be used in the shade garden, in a woodland garden, or as a ground cover. Or plant it near your spring bulbs so it hides their fading foliage. All in the family • There are about 70 species in the genus Hosta, mostly from Asia and Russia. • Other familiar members of Liliaceae, the lily family, include amaryllis, asparagus, daffodils, daylilies, garlic, onions, and Solomon’s seal. Where to buy • Klehm’s Song Sparrow Nursery, Avalon, WI, 800-553-3715, www.songsparrow.com • Made in the Shade, Olathe, KS, 913-206-6939, www.hostaguy.com • Plant Delights Nursery Inc., Raleigh, NC, 919-772-4794, www.plantdelights.com (Photo of Hosta ‘Hacksaw’ courtesy of Shady Oaks Nursery) Comments By jessiemontana Tuesday, June 14, 2011 9:33 AM I love Hostas! I have 6 different ones now and am constantly on the lookout for new ones. I will be trying to get this one for sure. Post Comment Only registered users may post comments.