Blue Mouse Ears Hosta (Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears')

Award-Winning Miniature Hosta with Blue-Green Foliage, Lavender Flowers & Exceptional Shade Garden Appeal

Plant Overview

Common Name: Blue Mouse Ears Hosta
Botanical Name: Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears'
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial
Family: Asparagaceae
Hardiness Zones: 3–9

Blue Mouse Ears Hosta is one of the most celebrated miniature hostas available today. Loved for its perfectly rounded, thick blue-green leaves that resemble tiny mouse ears, this compact perennial forms a dense, symmetrical mound that adds texture and color to woodland gardens, shaded borders, fairy gardens, and containers.

Named the 2008 American Hosta Growers Association Hosta of the Year and recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit, Blue Mouse Ears is considered one of the finest miniature hostas for both collectors and home gardeners.

Quick Facts

• Height: 6 inches

• Flower Height: 8–12 inches

• Spread: 12 inches

• Bloom Time: Mid-Summer

• Flower Color: Lavender to Violet

• Foliage Color: Blue-Green

• Sun Exposure: Part Shade to Full Shade

• Water Needs: Average

• Maintenance: Easy

• Growth Habit: Compact, Rounded

• Growth Rate: Moderate

• Container Friendly: Excellent

• Award Winner: 2008 Hosta of the Year

Growing Conditions

Light

Blue Mouse Ears performs best in:

• Part Shade

• Woodland Shade

• Full Shade

Morning sun is tolerated in northern climates, but afternoon shade helps preserve the rich blue foliage.

Soil

This hosta thrives in:

• Moist, well-drained soil

• Humus-rich woodland soil

• Compost-amended garden beds

• Slightly acidic to neutral soil

Organic matter improves both soil moisture retention and overall plant health.

Water

For best performance:

• Water deeply during establishment

• Maintain consistent moisture

• Avoid prolonged dry periods

Established plants become relatively resilient but appreciate regular watering during hot, dry weather.

Foliage Characteristics

The distinctive foliage is what makes Blue Mouse Ears one of the world's most recognizable miniature hostas.

Leaf Features

• Thick, durable leaves

• Blue-green to gray-green color

• Rounded, heart-shaped form

• Slight upward curl resembling mouse ears

• Exceptional texture

• Dense, symmetrical mound

The heavy substance of the leaves also offers improved resistance to slug damage compared to many traditional hosta varieties.

Flower Characteristics

Elegant flower scapes emerge above the foliage during midsummer.

Flower Features

• Soft lavender to violet blooms

• Bell-shaped flowers

• Held on pale green stems

• Graceful vertical accent

• Attractive to hummingbirds and pollinators

The flowers provide beautiful seasonal contrast against the cool blue foliage.

Pollinator & Wildlife Benefits

Blue Mouse Ears supports beneficial wildlife throughout the growing season.

Attracts

• Hummingbirds

• Bees

• Butterflies

• Pollinating insects

Its summer flowers provide an excellent nectar source in shaded garden settings.

Garden Uses

Its compact size makes Blue Mouse Ears incredibly versatile.

Recommended Uses

• Woodland Gardens

• Shade Gardens

• Fairy Gardens

• Rock Gardens

• Container Gardens

• Trough Gardens

• Border Edging

• Underplanting Trees and Shrubs

• Collector Gardens

• Botanical Gardens

Its neat habit also makes it ideal for planting between stepping stones or along shaded pathways.

Companion Plants

At 19 Birch Lane, Blue Mouse Ears pairs beautifully with:

• Japanese Painted Fern

• Hellebores

• Coral Bells (Heuchera)

• Brunnera

• Astilbe

• Trillium

• Pulmonaria

• Tiarella

• Miniature Hostas

• Woodland Phlox

These combinations create layered texture and year-round beauty in shaded landscapes.

Care & Maintenance

Blue Mouse Ears is remarkably easy to maintain.

Maintenance Tips

• Water consistently during dry periods

• Remove damaged foliage in early spring

• Cut back spent flower stalks after blooming

• Divide mature clumps every 4–5 years if desired

• Top dress annually with compost

Winter Care

In colder climates:

• Allow foliage to die back naturally

• Remove old leaves after frost

• Apply a light mulch to protect roots from freeze-thaw cycles

• Clean up foliage to reduce overwintering pests

Why We Grow It at 19 Birch Lane

At 19 Birch Lane, Blue Mouse Ears Hosta is one of our favorite miniature hostas for adding elegance and texture to shaded garden spaces. Its perfectly rounded blue foliage, exceptional durability, and compact growth habit make it an ideal choice for woodland gardens, container displays, and our expanding botanical collections.

Its award-winning performance and timeless beauty continue to make it one of the finest hostas available for gardeners of all experience levels.

Problems

Blue Mouse Ears is generally very reliable.

Potential Issues

• Slugs and snails

• Deer browsing

• Rabbits

• Foliar nematodes

• Crown rot in poorly drained soils

Its thick leaves offer better slug resistance than many larger hosta varieties.

Plant Finder Details

Botanical Name: Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears'
Common Name: Blue Mouse Ears Hosta
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial
Family: Asparagaceae
Zones: 3–9
Height: 6 inches
Flower Height: 8–12 inches
Spread: 12 inches
Bloom Time: Mid-Summer
Flower Color: Lavender
Foliage Color: Blue-Green
Sun Exposure: Part Shade to Full Shade
Water Requirements: Average
Maintenance: Easy
Growth Habit: Compact, Rounded
Attracts: Hummingbirds, Bees, Butterflies

Botanical Garden Notes

Blue Mouse Ears showcases the incredible diversity found within the Hosta genus. Its miniature size, award-winning foliage, and dependable garden performance make it one of the signature hostas in the collections at 19 Birch Lane and an excellent example of how even the smallest perennials can create lasting visual impact.

Blue Mouse Ears Hosta (Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears')

Award-Winning Miniature Hosta with Blue-Green Foliage, Lavender Flowers & Exceptional Shade Garden Appeal