SKU: 1406 Francee Hosta Bareroot

Key Features

• Growth Habit: Medium to large, clump-forming herbaceous perennial grown from fleshy bareroot crowns with dense mounds of broad, dark green leaves edged in bright white.
• Bloom Color: Soft lavender, bell-shaped flowers borne on upright flower scapes in midsummer.
• Fragrance: Light to no noticeable fragrance.
• Fruit Flavor: None; produces ornamental seed capsules that are not grown for edible use.
• Culinary Uses: Young spring shoots ("hostons") are edible when harvested early from plants that have not been treated with pesticides or garden chemicals. Mature leaves are generally too tough for culinary use.
• Medicinal Uses: No widely recognized medicinal uses. Although some Hosta species have been used in traditional East Asian herbal medicine, Francee is grown primarily for its ornamental value.
• Possible Toxicity: Mildly toxic to cats, dogs, and horses if ingested. Eating the foliage may cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and gastrointestinal upset. Generally considered non-toxic to humans.
• Wildlife & Pest Resistance: Flowers attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Deer and rabbits commonly browse hosta foliage and may require protection. Francee has moderate resistance to slugs and snails, although young leaves can still be damaged in damp conditions.
• Planting Zone: Hardy in USDA Zones 3–8.
• Sun Preferences: Partial shade to full shade. Tolerates gentle morning sun, especially in cooler climates, but benefits from afternoon shade to keep foliage vibrant and prevent leaf scorch.
• Drought Tolerance: Moderate once established. Grows best in consistently moist, organically rich, well-drained soil.
• Mature Size: Typically grows 20–24 inches tall with a spread of 36–48 inches, while flower scapes may reach 30–36 inches.

When and How to Prune

• Remove spent flower stalks after blooming to maintain a neat appearance and encourage the plant to direct energy into foliage and root development.
• Trim away damaged, yellowing, or diseased leaves throughout the growing season as needed.
• After the first hard frost, allow the foliage to die back naturally before cutting it back to 1–2 inches above ground level.
• Remove dead foliage and garden debris in fall or early spring to reduce overwintering pests such as slugs and snails and to help prevent disease.

Planting Instructions (Bareroot into the Ground)

1. Plant bareroot hostas in early spring or early fall when temperatures are cool.
2. Soak the bareroot in clean water for 30–60 minutes before planting to hydrate the roots.
3. Choose a location with partial to full shade and fertile, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.
4. Dig a hole wide enough to comfortably spread the roots without bending them.
5. Form a small mound of soil in the center of the planting hole and spread the roots evenly over the mound.
6. Position the crown so the growing buds are at or just below the soil surface.
7. Backfill with native soil, gently firming around the roots to eliminate air pockets.
8. Water deeply after planting.
9. Apply a 2–3 inch layer of organic mulch, keeping it several inches away from the crown to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
10. Space plants 36–48 inches apart to allow for mature growth and good air circulation.

Overwintering Steps

• Francee Hosta is fully hardy in USDA Zones 3–8 and naturally goes dormant each winter.
• Allow foliage to die back naturally after the first hard frost.
• Once the leaves have yellowed or collapsed, cut them back to 1–2 inches above the soil.
• Remove old leaves and garden debris to reduce overwintering insects, slugs, snails, and disease.
• Apply a 2–3 inch layer of shredded bark, compost, or leaf mulch after the ground freezes to protect the crown from repeated freeze-thaw cycles, especially during the first winter after planting.
• Remove excess mulch in early spring as new shoots begin to emerge.
• Divide mature clumps every 4–6 years in spring or early fall if plants become crowded or the center begins to thin.

With its crisp white-edged foliage, graceful lavender flowers, and dependable performance, Francee Hosta remains one of the finest variegated hostas for shaded landscapes. Its elegant appearance, ease of care, and long-lived nature make it an outstanding choice for woodland gardens, borders, foundation plantings, and containers, providing beautiful texture and color for decades.