Green - Blue-Green - Yellow - White

The base or primary leaf color is defined as the color that occupies at least 60% of the surface area of the plant. Secondary colors, usually involved with variegation, are those colors that occupy 40% or less of the surface area.

In the landscape, we are concerned with visible light which is that part of the spectrum of light waves that is reflected back to our eyes from a plant. In design, we use these colors to form combinations that are pleasing to the average human's perceptions.

Basically, the color in hostas is due to the amount of chlorophyll (green), carotene (yellow) or waxy bloom (blue) in the leaf. The complete absence of chlorophyll results in white being reflected from the leaf.

Of course, some plants have only one color covering 100% of the leaf surface. These are often called monochrome colors. A distinctive secondary is not present so these are considered non-variegated plants.

Colors of hosta leaves can change for a variety of reasons. These include concepts such as stability, sporting, surface effects and seasonal color changes.

The American Hosta Society recommends using the Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart for accurate hosta leaf color determination.

Typical base leaf colors in hostas would include:

1. Green

2. Blue-Green

3. Yellow

4. White

1. Green Leaves - The amount of the green pigment, chlorophyll, that is found within the cells of the leaves will determine the depth of green color that we see.

The American Hosta Society (AHS) in their registration form recognizes three gradients of green including, light green, medium green and dark green.

2. Blue-Green Leaves - Although everyone talks about "Blue" hostas, they are really blue-green in color. The leaf is green but it is covered with a waxy coating that reflects blue light. This coating is thickest in the spring but begins to melt off as the summer heat and rain depletes it. By fall in most areas, the blue hostas are mostly or entirely green in color.

AHS allows for slightly blue-green, medium blue-green and intensely blue-green gradations. Of course, this color description is most true to form early in the season in May or June.

3. Yellow Leaves - Many hostas have names that include the word "Gold" or "Golden" but they are, in fact, yellow plants. Masked by the stronger color of green chlorophyll, most leaves are yellow at heart. In the fall when the chlorophyll goes away in response to shorter days, most leaves turn...yellow! In hosta leaves, when the chlorophyll is missing, it usually shows as yellow.

Again, the AHS has delineated levels of yellow colors including greenish-yellow, pale yellow, yellow and  golden yellow.

4. White Leaves - Some hostas have parts of leaves that totally lack any pigment and reflect only white light. For this to be the base color would require that the plant be 60% white. This would be a slow growing (chlorophyll is required for photosynthesis) and thin substanced leaf liable to damage from the sun, drought and slugs.

AHS has designated the options of greenish white, creamy white and pure white for these types of hostas.