Hosta 'Empress Wu'
Hosta
| Family: | Liliaceae (lil-ee-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
| Genus: | Hosta (HOSS-tuh) (Info) |
| Cultivar: | Empress Wu |
| Additional cultivar information: | (PP20774) |
| Hybridized | by Skaggs |
| Registered or introduced: | 2008 |
View this plant in a gardenPlant Size (check one):
Giant (leaf >144 square inches; plant >28” tall)
Spacing:
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Sun Exposure:
Light Shade
Partial to Full Shade
Full Shade
Other details:
Patent Information:
Patented
Seed Collecting:
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Growing Habit:
Mound-like
Growth Rate:
Fast
Leaf Shape:
Broadly Ovate
Leaf Appearance:
Flat
Degree to which the appearance is present:
Moderately
Leaf Texture (top):
Slightly Shiny
Leaf Texture (bottom):
Glaucous Bloom
Leaf Substance:
1 (Thick)
Leaf Color:
Dark Green
Color of Leaf Margin:
No margin
Number of Vein Pairs:
16 to 18
Appearance of Margin:
Flat/Nearly Flat
Margin Width:
No margin
Bloom Time:
Early/Mid
Flower Shape:
Tubular
Flower Fragrance:
No fragrance
Does it set seed?:
Yes; seed is viable
Bloom Color:
Pale Lavender
Foliage Color:
Bloom Characteristics:
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Where to Grow:
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Marietta, Georgia
Barrington, Illinois
Peoria, Illinois
Quincy, Illinois
Roscoe, Illinois
Bloomfield, Iowa
Ijamsville, Maryland
Middleton, Massachusetts
Sandwich, Massachusetts
East Tawas, Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan(2 reports)
Holland, Michigan
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Plainwell, Michigan
Redford, Michigan
Royal Oak, Michigan
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Vale, North Carolina
North Ridgeville, Ohio
Williamsburg, Ohio
Plano, Texas
Sandy, Utah
South Jordan, Utah
Vienna, Virginia
Ellsworth, Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
show allGardeners' Notes:
| Rating | Content |
|---|---|
| Negative | On Jun 19, 2019, goedric from Newaygo, MI wrote: So far (3 years) very very unimpressed. I purchased a dozen from multiple sources and have planted them in multiple locations... they are still tiny. Leaves are weak and the plant falls over. I have some next to Sum and Substance as well as Blue Angel (as well as several other varieties) and this is the only hosta that is under-performing. I left 3 in gallon pots through the winter along with other varieties... the winter was bad (zone 5 but temps were more like zone 4). Of the 20 hostas I left i pots... 3 died... all 3 were Empress Wu (Proven Winners, Shadowland Empress Wu to be specific). None of the Empress Wu in pots made it through the winter. I am about ready to yank all these embarrassing hostas... 1 more year... hoping they are doing something underground |
| Neutral | On Oct 27, 2016, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote: One of the largest of all hostas, this gets truly massive with maturity. That can take five years or more. |
| Positive | On Aug 1, 2016, Roziz from Ottawa, My Empress Wu started with a stub, planted in the shade of a rose bush; now it is four feet high and wide, has grown out of the shade and takes full sun for a third of the day with no burning. It has smaller hostas thriving underneath its shade casting 'branches'. Very architectural and works in a difficult spot - an odd mix of shade and full sun. |
| Positive | On Jun 22, 2014, donobcd from North Ridgeville, OH wrote: bought mine from paradise gardens 3 yrs ago and has doubled in size every yr ... nice size now , but next yr should be something |
| Positive | On Jul 6, 2012, Prunerman from Middleton, MA wrote: In Sept, 2010 I split a mail ordered Empress Wu into two plants and planted them in a shady area alongside my driveway. They have maintained steady but slow growth to date. |
| Positive | On Feb 29, 2012, marywalters from Holland, MI wrote: There is a handy saying that truly applies to Hostas - especially large one like Empress Wu - Sleep, Creep, Leap - 1st year they put on roots, 2nd year they are a bit bigger. By the 3rd year, they start to strut their stuff! Empress Wu is well worth the wait. |
| Positive | On Aug 11, 2011, dahlia10 from Ottawa, I'm impressed with the Empress! I bougth this little 2 leaves plant this spring.Now it has 12 big leaves and has almost the same size as my 2 year Sum and Substance! |
| Positive | On Jul 4, 2011, mkcarter66 from Redford, MI wrote: 2nd year with this hosta and it is doubled in size. Doing great in full shade. |
| Positive | On Jun 4, 2011, Joe904 from Kalamazoo, MI wrote: I purchased two Empress Wu at an end of season sale last year in 1 gal containers. They came up and have been growing quickly this year - each has 8-10 large leaves and the plants are now about 24" high and 30-36" across. They are planted in full shade in my woodland garden. So far I am extremely happy with their performance. |
| Neutral | On Oct 8, 2010, lillian215 from Quincy, IL wrote: My Empress Wu was planted two years ago and is still very small with only 2 leaves, but it seemed to "bolt" in the center this year with a couple new leaves and then stopped and was so weak it fell over. It never did bloom. My soil is the best and all my other hostas were on "steriods" this year. Does anyone know what is wrong? |
| Neutral | On Jul 13, 2010, mothermole from Deer Park, IL (Zone 5b) wrote: I have had this plant since the introduction in 2008. My experience differs from what is listed here at Daves. My plant is very, VERY slow growing. I thought that by this year (2010) it would pick up speed in growing but it hasn't even doubled in width and nothing in height. I am hoping that next year will be the year for some major growth! |
