Hosta 'Bold Ruffles' – Textural Interest Since 1975

Hosta 'Bold Ruffles': A Pioneer of Piecrust Edges

Long before ruffled hostas became a hybridizing trend, 'Bold Ruffles' was turning heads. Introduced in 1975 by Arett, this cultivar was among the first to showcase prominently wavy, piecrust leaf margins—a trait now highly sought after. Its early date makes it a foundational plant in the development of modern ruffled varieties.

Historical Context

• Family: Liliaceae (lil-ee-AY-see-ee)
• Genus: Hosta (HOSS-tuh)
• Cultivar: Bold Ruffles
• Hybridized by: Arett
• Registered/Introduced: 1975

Garden Characteristics

'Bold Ruffles' forms a medium-sized mound of green leaves with distinctly undulating margins that create a three-dimensional, frilly appearance. The ruffling adds movement and light-catching texture to the shade garden. While newer ruffled cultivars may exhibit more extreme margins, 'Bold Ruffles' retains a natural, graceful look that integrates easily into mixed plantings.

Lavender flowers bloom in mid-summer. This cultivar's longevity in the trade—nearly half a century—attests to its vigor and adaptability. It represents a piece of hosta hybridizing history that still performs beautifully in contemporary gardens. For collectors and enthusiasts, growing 'Bold Ruffles' connects them to the early days of hosta fancy.