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Francee Hosta

$3995 $9995
Size: 1 Gallon
Pack Option

Your Plants are Guaranteed to Grow

Your plants are guaranteed to arrive happy & healthy with our 1 Year Warranty. Your order will arrive healthy and stay healthy while they adapt to your climate. If your tree arrives damaged or dies within 30 days, we'll replace it for free. If it dies after 30 days, but before 1 year, we will replace it for just 50% of the current price.

Free Shipping on All Orders

Relax... we've got you covered with free shipping on every order! We ship out so many huge plants, we've negotiated a low rate with our carriers... and we pass those savings on to you! Your plants will ship out the next business day... expertly packed so that your plants will arrive happy and healthy!

Is Now a Good Time to Plant?

Yes! Fall is one of the best times to plant!

Landscaping experts often recommend planting in fall instead of waiting until spring. Here’s why:

  • Cooler weather puts less stress on newly planted trees and shrubs.
  • Fall soil is still warm, which helps roots grow and get established.
  • Cooler temperatures mean less water is lost through the leaves, making it easier for plants to stay hydrated.
  • Even after top growth slows for winter, roots continue developing below ground.
  • Fall weather often brings more rain and less heat, making new plants easier to care for.
  • By spring, your plants already have a head start. Their established roots can support strong new leaves, branches, and flowers.
  • Trees planted in spring must establish their roots while also dealing with rising temperatures and summer heat.

Plant this fall, and your trees can spend the cooler months getting settled instead of waiting until spring to get started!

Planting your Francee Hosta

Growing & Care Guide for Francee Hosta

Light Requirements

Prefers partial to full shade but tolerates some morning sun.

Avoid harsh afternoon sun unless you provide consistent moisture.

Soil Preferences

Thrives in well-draining, rich, moist soils.

Adding compost at planting time can enhance growth.

Watering

Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep root system.

Once established, Francee is relatively drought-tolerant but looks best with consistent moisture.

Fertilizer

Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring as new growth emerges.

Avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to floppy leaves.

Mulching

Mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Keep mulch away from the plant’s crown to avoid rot.

Pruning

Remove spent flower stalks after blooming to encourage tidy growth.

Cut back foliage in late fall after frost, or leave it to provide winter interest and habitat for garden wildlife.

What Customers say about the Francee Hosta:

The Francee Hosta thrives in Zones 4-8

Growing Zones for the Francee Hosta

If you live in the green area above, we recommend the Francee Hosta.

Your Growing Zone
Recommended Zones 4-8
Mature Height 2 ft.
Mature Width 4 ft.
Cannot Ship To AZ, OR
Sunlight Full Shade
Botanical Name Hosta x 'Francee'

Plants that Make a Difference

For 20+ years, our team has shipped healthy, established plants to gardeners like you- all across the country. Every plant is selected and cared for by our plant experts before it ships to your door.

  • 20+ Years Experience

  • Superior Quality

  • Free Shipping on All Orders

  • Guaranteed to Grow

Frances costa growing in a mulch bed with brown mulch and another green shrub nearby

Beware- not all Francee Hostas are the same.

Be sure to get superior perennials, grown by experts.

Better Roots Make Stronger Plants: Some nurseries send you "bare root" perennials to save on shipping. Even worse, others have started digging them right out of the ground before shipping. This causes major transplant shock and long-term damage. We send you Francee Hostas in soil-filled containers- ensuring a well-developed root system that will explode with growth!

Healthy Plants: We've seen other nurseries grow tall perennials in tiny pots to save on shipping. This leads to a "root bound" plant, where the roots have outgrown their pot- they cannot absorb water and nutrients. They quickly dry out during shipment, leading to an unhealthy plant.

Foliage of the Francee Costa

Francee is a classic hosta with dark green leaves and crisp white edges that brighten the shade garden all season.

  • White leaf edges that hold from spring until frost, instead of fading
  • Handles more morning sun than many hostas
  • Lavender midsummer flowers that attract hummingbirds and bees
  • Long-lived and easy: about 2 ft. tall and up to 4 ft. wide; hardy in zones 4-8

Not all plants are created equal

The Difference Is in the Roots

Every plant we ship has grown in a nursery container with its roots protected, so it arrives healthy, established and ready to thrive in your yard.

A full, branched Nationwide Plants tree in a nursery pot next to a thin bare-root tree with exposed roots Ours: container grown Theirs: bare root
Nationwide Plants Other Nurseries
How it's grown Grown in a nursery container, roots protected the whole time Pulled or dug from the field, tearing fragile roots
How it arrives Arrives in its pot with soil intact Arrives bare root, exposed and drying out
Before shipping Growing naturally until it ships Held dormant in a cooler, then shocked by a hot shipping box
Root health Strong, well-developed roots with room to grow Crammed into a small pot until it's root bound
Height Measured from the top of the soil Often includes the pot and roots
After planting Settles in quickly with less transplant shock Arrives stressed and can take years to recover, if it does

The height you see is the height you plant.

We measure every plant from the top of the soil, not the bottom of the pot. Many nurseries include the pot and roots, so a "5–6 ft." tree from them might stand only 4 ft. tall once it's planted.

Comparisons reflect common practices across the online plant industry, not any single company.

Francee Hosta in a mulch bed, overhead view.

Honest Measurements: Some nurseries measure plants including the pot and roots, so the plant you receive is much smaller than you expected. We measure all of our plants from the soil line, so the height you see is what you can expect after planting.

From our nursery to your door

How We Ship Your Plants

Every order is hand-selected, watered and carefully packed so it arrives healthy and ready to plant. Here's what happens after you place your order.

  1. Hand-Picked for You

    Our team selects the best plant available for your order. For privacy trees, that's the tallest and fullest. For fruit trees, it's the best branched.

    Why it matters: Many online nurseries ship whatever is next in the row.

  2. A Deep Drink Before the Trip

    Every plant gets a thorough watering right before it's packed, so it starts the journey fully hydrated.

  3. Roots Sealed In

    We wrap the pot and roots in plastic to lock in moisture, so your plant has water to drink all the way to your door.

    Why it matters: Bare-root plants are often shipped with their roots exposed and drying out.

  4. Braced for the Ride

    Cardboard inserts are secured inside every box to hold your plant in place, so it won't slide, tip or get damaged in transit.

  5. Shipped Only by FedEx

    We ship your trees exclusively with FedEx. We've found they deliver the fastest and handle live plants the most gently.

And if anything goes wrong, every plant is backed by our 1 Year Warranty.

Healthy Roots Make a Huge Difference

  • Never buy bare-root plants. These trees are starved of nutrients, and have a low survival rate.
  • Beware of nurseries cut corners by growing in small pots. These "rootbound" plants are weak, struggle to absorb nutrients, and die quickly after planting.
  • Some nurseries try to sell oversized plants, but chop off vital roots so they can cram the rootball into a narrow box to save on shipping!

You Want Francee Hostas Grown by Experts

Some nurseries ship small, weak perennials grown in tiny pots to save money. These "root bound" plants struggle after planting and take longer to fill out.

Nationwide Plants only sends you strong Francee Hostas, selected and cared for by our plant experts, with healthy, developed root systems. That means they settle in quickly and start brightening your shady spots sooner.

Read more about the Francee Hosta

Bring Reliable Beauty to Your Garden with the Francee Hosta

If you're looking to add dependable color, texture, and lush greenery to your landscape, the Francee Hosta should be at the top of your list. This classic perennial offers stunning foliage, reliable growth, and minimal maintenance—making it perfect for gardeners who want consistent beauty without constant upkeep.

With its elegant green leaves edged in crisp white, the Francee Hosta is a standout in any shade garden. Whether you're filling in difficult shady spots, adding a contrast border, or designing a tranquil garden bed, Francee Hosta brings timeless appeal and versatility to your outdoor space.

Plant Highlights: Why Your Garden Needs Francee Hosta

  • Distinctive Variegation: Francee Hosta is prized for its dark green leaves with clean, bright white edges that stay sharp and striking all season long. While other hostas may fade in color as summer progresses, Francee holds its contrasting edges, giving you long-lasting visual interest.

  • Tolerant of Sun and Shade: While Francee Hosta thrives in full to partial shade like most hostas, it's also more sun-tolerant than many of its relatives. You can plant it in areas with more morning sun, giving you flexibility in your landscape design.

  • Low Maintenance & Reliable: Francee is well-known for its durability and ease of care. It’s resistant to most pests and diseases, and once it’s established, it requires very little attention. If you’re looking for a hassle-free perennial, this is your plant.

  • Adds Texture and Contrast: The heart-shaped leaves and lush mounding habit of Francee Hosta make it an excellent companion for other shade plants like ferns, astilbes, and coral bells. It adds both texture and contrast to your garden beds or borders.

  • Late Season Blooms for Added Interest: In midsummer, Francee Hosta sends up tall scapes of lavender flowers, attracting hummingbirds and adding vertical interest to your garden.

What Makes the Francee Hosta Unique?

Bright White Margins That Don’t Fade

Many variegated hostas lose their definition as the season progresses. Francee Hosta stands apart by maintaining its brilliant white leaf margins from spring until frost. This consistent color contrast makes it one of the most popular white-edged hostas on the market.

More Sun Tolerant Than Other Hostas

If you have spots in your garden that get dappled sun or morning sunlight, Francee Hosta is a solid choice. Unlike some hostas that scorch or fade in brighter locations, Francee can tolerate more sun exposure—especially if you provide adequate moisture.

Compact, Uniform Growth Habit

Francee Hosta grows into a neat, symmetrical mound approximately 18 inches tall and 36 inches wide. Its tidy, uniform habit makes it a favorite for border plantings, mass plantings, or as a focal point in small garden spaces and containers.

Resilience in Tough Conditions

This plant is hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 8 and can thrive in a variety of soil types, as long as the soil is well-drained. It’s also drought tolerant once established, although regular watering helps keep it looking its best.

Design Ideas: How Francee Hosta Elevates Your Landscape

Fill in Shady Spaces

Shade can be tricky, but Francee Hosta makes it simple. Plant it under mature trees, in woodland gardens, or along the north side of buildings where sunlight is limited. Its bright white leaf edges help illuminate dim spaces, giving them a lighter, fresher appearance.

Create Contrast in Garden Borders

Use Francee Hosta to edge paths or flower beds, where its crisp green and white leaves can provide a clean contrast against darker foliage or brightly colored blooms. It pairs beautifully with plants that offer texture, like ferns and ornamental grasses.

Mass Planting for Groundcover

For a cohesive and full look, mass plant Francee Hostas in a drift or group. The result is a lush, uniform groundcover that keeps weeds at bay and adds depth and movement to your garden design.

Beautiful in Containers

Francee Hostas also perform well in large containers. Plant one on its own for a clean, architectural look, or pair it with trailing plants like creeping jenny or sweet potato vine to soften the edges of a container display.

How Francee Hosta Improves Your Garden Experience

Low Maintenance for Busy Gardeners

If you love the idea of a lush, beautiful garden but don’t want to spend your weekends maintaining it, Francee Hosta is ideal. It requires minimal care beyond occasional watering and mulching. It’s even resistant to many common pests, including deer in some areas.

Seasonal Interest from Spring to Fall

From the moment its leaves unfurl in early spring, Francee adds bold color and texture to your garden. By mid-summer, it offers delicate lavender blooms, and in fall, its foliage stays attractive until the first frost. That’s three seasons of reliable beauty.

Attracts Pollinators

When in bloom, Francee Hosta attracts hummingbirds and bees, supporting your local ecosystem while adding movement and life to your garden.

Durable and Long-Lived

Once planted and established, Francee Hostas can thrive for decades with very little care. They’re an investment in your landscape that pays off year after year.

Fun Facts About Francee Hosta

  • Francee Hosta is a sport of the ‘Plantaginea’ variety, but with more defined, high-contrast variegation.
  • It was introduced in the 1980s and has remained one of the top-selling hostas due to its durability and reliable variegation.
  • Unlike many other hostas, Francee Hosta’s flowers are fragrant, adding another layer of enjoyment in midsummer.
  • Hummingbirds are attracted to the tubular lavender flowers, offering a dynamic display of color and movement.

Why Francee Hosta Should Be in Your Garden Today

Francee Hosta gives you an easy-care, versatile plant with strong visual appeal from spring through fall. Its striking white-edged leaves, shade tolerance, and low maintenance make it one of the best investments for both beginner and experienced gardeners. Whether you need to brighten up a dark corner, create a striking border, or fill in under trees, Francee delivers consistent performance and timeless beauty.

When you plant Francee Hostas, you’re not just adding greenery to your yard—you’re adding structure, texture, and a sense of calm. It’s a plant that works hard so you don’t have to.

Bring home the Francee Hosta and enjoy a garden that’s as effortless as it is beautiful.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Francee Hosta

How big does Francee Hosta get?

Francee Hosta grows about 2 feet tall and up to 4 feet wide at maturity. It forms a neat, symmetrical mound of heart-shaped green leaves with crisp white edges. Give it plenty of room to spread, especially when mass planting it as a groundcover under trees or along shady borders.

Can Francee Hosta grow in sun?

Francee Hosta prefers shade but tolerates some morning sun better than many hostas. Avoid harsh afternoon sun unless you can keep the soil consistently moist, since strong sun can scorch the leaves. Full to partial shade under trees or on the north side of a building is ideal.

What zones is Francee Hosta hardy in?

Francee Hosta is hardy in USDA Zones 4 to 8. It is a long-lived perennial that returns every spring and can thrive for many years once established. In late fall, cut back the foliage after frost, or leave it in place to give garden wildlife some winter shelter.

Do Francee Hosta leaves keep their white edges?

Yes, Francee Hosta keeps its bright white leaf margins from spring until frost. Many variegated hostas fade as summer goes on, but Francee holds its sharp contrast between dark green centers and white edges, which helps brighten dim corners of the shade garden all season.

When does Francee Hosta bloom?

Francee Hosta blooms in midsummer, sending up tall stems of lavender flowers above the foliage. The tubular blooms attract hummingbirds and bees. Remove the spent flower stalks after blooming if you prefer a tidier look, since the leaves remain the main attraction.

How often should I water Francee Hosta?

Water Francee Hosta regularly during its first growing season to build a deep root system. Once established it is relatively drought tolerant but looks best with consistent moisture. Mulch around the base to hold in moisture, keeping the mulch away from the crown to prevent rot.

Is Francee Hosta deer resistant?

No, Francee Hosta should not be counted on to resist deer. Hostas are a favorite food of deer in many areas, even though some gardens see less browsing than others. If deer visit your yard, use repellents, fencing, or plant hostas close to the house.

Is Francee Hosta toxic to pets?

Yes, hostas are considered toxic to cats and dogs. The ASPCA lists hosta as toxic, and eating the leaves can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Plant Francee Hosta where pets are not likely to chew on it, and call your veterinarian if you think your pet has eaten some.

How do I fertilize Francee Hosta?

Fertilize Francee Hosta once in spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer as new growth emerges. Mixing compost into the soil at planting time also helps. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to soft, floppy leaves. Rich, moist, well-draining soil gives the best results.

Can Francee Hosta be grown in a container?

Yes, Francee Hosta performs well in large containers. Plant it alone for a clean, architectural look, or pair it with trailing plants like creeping jenny to soften the edges. Use a pot with drainage holes and keep the soil evenly moist, since containers dry out quickly.
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