Hosta ‘Patriot’ after I brought it home on 5-6-24, #987-10.
Hosta ‘Patriot’
American Hosta Growers Assn. 1997 Hosta of the Year
Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit
Hosta ‘Patriot’ on 5-6-24, #987-11.
Hosta ‘Patriot’ has been on my wish list for several years. I finally brought one home from the Green Street Market in Clinton, Missouri on May 6 in 2024. I planted it in the bed along the north side of the house where I had relocated the hosta and heuchera from the old shade bed.
Hosta ‘Patriot’ on 6-12-24, #996-16.
Hosta ‘Patriot’ is a sport of the popular Hosta ‘Francee’. It was found in a group of seedlings by John Machen, Jr., owner of Mobjack Nurseries in Virginia. It was registered in 1991 and has become one of the most popular Hosta cultivars.
Hosta ‘Patriot’ on 6-12-24, #996-17
Mark Zilis, in his book “The Hostapedia”, says this cultivar ranks as the first recognized tetraploid Hosta sport. It has became the most popular white-margined hosta for landscaping purposes. In his book, Field Guide to Hostas, he says H. ‘Patriot’ quickly surpasses its mother plant, H. ‘Francee’, as the top-selling white-margined Hosta upon its introduction in the early 1990’s.
New Encyclopedia of Hostas by Diana Grenfell (2009) says, “Leaves emerge late from rich violet shoots. Among the most popular variegated hostas ever introduced. Superb in the border and in containers.”
Hosta ‘Patriot’ on 7-5-24, #1000-18.
USEFUL INFORMATION:
Family: Asparagaceae (formerly Liliaceae)
Origin: Cultivar. Sport of Hosta ‘Francee’
USDA Zones: 3-8 (-40 to 25° F)
Size: 12” tall x 30” wide
Spacing: Plant 24” apart
Flowers: Lavender flowers in July-August on 30” scapes
Leaves: Smooth, wavy green leaves with white margins.
Light: Part to full shade
Soil: Prefers humus-rich, well-drained soil
Water: Medium water needs
Propagation: Division
Uses: Beds, borders, containers…
Tolerates:
Resistant: Not slug or snail resistant
<<<<2025>>>>
Hosta ‘Patriot’ on 4-9-25, #1034-17.
I am always anxious for spring and look forward to seeing when the hosta start coming up. I noticed Hosta ‘Patriot’ was peeking through the soil on April 9 in 2025. You can tell these shoots are ‘Patriot’ because they are purple…
Hosta ‘Patriot’ on 4-21-25, #1038-27.
I’m glad the moles aren’t a problem in the bed along the north side of the house. They dig in the yard in front of the bed, though.
Hosta ‘Patriot’ on 4-29-25, #1039-18.
The Hosta were well under way when the above photo was taken on April 29 in 2025.
Hosta ‘Patriot’ on 5-22-25, #1045-27.
The white-margined leaves really show up surrounded by the green leaves of other plants. The pink flowers are from Geranium sanguineum (Bloody Cranesbill).
Hosta ‘Patriot’ on 6-12-25, #1056-21.
Hosta are easy plants to grow in USDA Zones 3-8. I tried growing them when I lived in Mississippi, but they didn’t do that well. I think some cultivars do better there than others.
Hosta ‘Patriot’ on 6-20-25, #1062-35.
Hosta grow well in a variety of soils, but seem to prefer fairly fertile loamy soil with adequate moisture. Once established, they are fairly drought tolerant to some extent and are forgiving if you get behind watering. They like part to full shade and to much sun will burn their leaves. Some cultivars can handle more sun than others.
Hosta ‘Patriot’ on 6-20-25, #1062-36.
How’s that for a leaf!
I’m looking forward to seeing all the Hosta come up again in 2026! If you haven’t tried Hosta ‘Patriot’, I highly recommend you do! If you can find them at a local greenhouse or garden center, there are quite a few sources online.
There are several links below about growing Hosta. I hope you have enjoyed this page. If you can, please leave a like or leave a comment.
The Belmont Rooster 