Hosta 'First Frost' – Blue Margins with Gold-to-White Centers

Hosta 'First Frost' delivers a sophisticated color progression: blue-green margins frame centers that shift from gold in spring to creamy white by summer. Registered in 2002 by Scolnik-Solberg, this medium-large cultivar extends the seasonal interest of variegated hostas.

Botanical Profile

Family:	Liliaceae (lil-ee-AY-see-ee)
Genus:	Hosta (HOSS-tuh)
Cultivar:	'First Frost'
Hybridizer:	Scolnik-Solberg
Registration Year:	2002

Dynamic Seasonal Display

The broadly ovate leaves emerge with wide, bright gold centers bordered by intense blue-green margins. As the season progresses, the gold centers transition to a clean, creamy white, while the blue-green margins retain their color well into fall—hence the name 'First Frost,' suggesting the white centers persist until frost. The leaves have heavy substance and a slight cupping.

Garden Performance

'First Frost' is a robust grower with excellent substance, giving it good slug resistance. For the best color sequence, provide morning sun or bright dappled shade. The blue-green margins need some shade to maintain their waxy bloom. It forms a substantial, upright mound that makes a strong presence in the middle to back of shaded borders.

Scolnik-Solberg Breeding

The 2002 collaboration between Scolnik and Solberg produced a cultivar that exemplifies modern breeding goals: dynamic seasonal color, heavy substance, and garden reliability. 'First Frost' has become a standard for blue-margined, center-variegated hostas.