{"product_id":"blue-mouse-ears-hosta-hosta-blue-mouse-ears","title":"Blue Mouse Ears Hosta - Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears'","description":"\u003cp\u003eBlue Mouse Ears Hosta (\u003cem\u003eHosta\u003c\/em\u003e 'Blue Mouse Ears') is a miniature foliage perennial just 15cm tall and 25cm wide, forming a neat clump of blue-green leaves. Lilac flower spikes rise in summer, and the plant stays short even in flower. It is the hosta for pots, baskets and the front of a shady border, where a full-size hosta would swamp its neighbours.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTruly small.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 15cm by 25cm it fits where other hostas cannot, from pots and hanging baskets to the edge of a shady path.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlue-green foliage.\u003c\/strong\u003e The cool-toned leaves add colour to shade without needing flowers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSummer flower spikes.\u003c\/strong\u003e Lilac flowers appear in summer on short stems, so even in flower the plant stays low and compact.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCold hardy.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is frost hardy, so it suits gardens that get hard winters, where it dies back and returns in spring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA recognised performer.\u003c\/strong\u003e It holds the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit and was named Hosta of the Year for 2008.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFront of a shady border.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 25cm apart for a dwarf shade edging. The clumps touch at that spacing and make a neat, continuous band of blue-green.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnder trees.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant it in the dappled shade beneath trees, where the leaves are shielded from direct afternoon sun.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots and hanging baskets.\u003c\/strong\u003e Small enough for hanging baskets and patio pots, which are also easier to protect from snails.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Blue Mouse Ears Hosta in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Dappled shade is ideal. Plant in a sheltered position and avoid direct afternoon sun, which scorches the leaves. It is frost hardy and happiest in cool temperate, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens, and it needs to be kept moist in hot spells. Hostas are deciduous, so the leaves die back in winter and return in spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sand, clay and loam all suit it, provided the soil is acid to neutral. Enrich the soil with plenty of organic matter before planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks, and keep watering through the growing season. Apply a slow-release fertiliser in spring and a liquid fertiliser monthly during flowering to maintain plant health.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e No pruning is needed. Cut off the spent flower stems, and tidy away the dead leaves when they die back in winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Blue Mouse Ears Hosta as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. A tube is all you need for a pot or a basket, and a few will edge a shady bed. Expect a small plant on arrival that bulks up gradually over the seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-partial-shade\"\u003ePlants for partial shade\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003ePlants for pots\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/shade-gardening-with-brisbane-plant-nursery-guide\"\u003eShade gardening: what to plant where\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/frost-hardy-plants\"\u003eMore frost hardy plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs Blue Mouse Ears safe for pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Hostas are toxic to dogs and cats if eaten and can cause vomiting and diarrhoea. Grow it where pets cannot chew it, such as in a hanging basket.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill snails eat it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey usually do. Check the new growth in spring, hand pick snails and slugs or use a pet-safe snail bait, and consider growing it in a pot or basket.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan it take any sun?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGentle morning sun is fine, but avoid direct afternoon sun, which scorches the leaves. Dappled shade suits it best, and it needs to stay moist in hot spells.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67787239489855,"sku":"HOS-HYB-BLUEMO-tube","price":22.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/blue-mouse-ears-hosta-hosta-blue-mouse-ears.jpg?v=1792153836","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/blue-mouse-ears-hosta-hosta-blue-mouse-ears","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}