Hosta 'Black Hills' – Dark Foliage from 1983

Hosta 'Black Hills': Deeply Pigmented Foliage by Savory, 1983

Registered in 1983 by Savory, 'Black Hills' was an early entrant in the quest for dark-leaved hostas. The name evokes the shadowed slopes of the Black Hills region—dark, mysterious, and profound. This cultivar delivers exceptionally deep green, almost blackish foliage that creates dramatic contrast in shaded plantings.

Historical Context

• Family: Liliaceae (lil-ee-AY-see-ee)
• Genus: Hosta (HOSS-tuh)
• Cultivar: Black Hills
• Hybridized by: Savory
• Registered/Introduced: 1983

Dark Drama

'Black Hills' forms a medium-to-large mound of intensely dark green leaves with a glossy sheen. The color is most saturated in spring and in cooler climates; heat and intense light can cause some lightening. The leaves have good substance and a slight wave. This cultivar's early date makes it a progenitor of modern near-black hostas.

Pair 'Black Hills' with gold, chartreuse, or white-variegated hostas for maximum contrast. It excels in "night gardens" designed for evening viewing. Lavender flowers bloom in mid-summer. 'Black Hills' represents a foundational step in the development of dark-foliaged hostas—a classic that still casts a deep shadow.