Hosta 'First Frost'

Hosta, Plantain Lily 'First Frost'

Hosta 'First Frost' — a medium-sized shade perennial prized for its striking blue-green foliage edged with bright golden margins that gradually turn creamy white as the season progresses. This sport of the popular ‘Halcyon’ hosta forms a dense, upright mound of thick, heart-shaped leaves that hold their color well until fall. Pale lavender flowers rise above the foliage on tall scapes in midsummer, adding soft seasonal interest to shady gardens.  

Type: Perennial

Mature Size:
Width: 30–36 in
Height: 12–16 in (to ~28 in in flower)  

USDA Zones: 3a–9b  

Form: Upright, mounded clump

Light: Partial shade to full shade

Soil: Moist, well-drained soils rich in organic matter

Water: Moderate; prefers consistently moist soil

Wildlife: Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds  

Features & Landscape Uses:
Award-winning hosta (2010 Hosta of the Year) known for bold blue foliage with bright variegated edges that transition from gold to creamy white. Excellent for woodland gardens, shade borders, edging, containers, and mass plantings. Thick leaves tend to resist slug damage better than many hostas.

Care:
Plant in partial to full shade to preserve the blue leaf color. Provide evenly moist soil and mulch to retain moisture. Remove old foliage in early spring before new growth emerges. Divide clumps every few years in spring or fall to maintain vigor.

If you want, I can also show you which hostas in your database plants list are similar to ‘First Frost’ (like Blue Ivory, Halcyon, or Autumn Frost) so your spreadsheet groups them better by foliage type.

Plant type

Perennial

Height

12-15''

Width

30-36"

Hardiness zones

3–9

Sunlight

Full Shade, Partial Shade

Growth rate

Moderate

Bloom time

Mid Summer

Attracts

Bees, Hummingbirds

Soil

Moist well-drained, Rich

Landscape use

Border, Container, Mass Planting, Rock Garden

Shape

Clump, Mounded, Upright

Fragrant

Yes

Drought tolerant

No