Shadowland® 'Diamond Lake' Hosta (Hosta hybrid 'Diamond Lake')
2022 Hosta of the Year • A Bold Blue Hosta with Exceptional Texture and Lasting Beauty
Plant Overview
Common Name: Shadowland® 'Diamond Lake' Hosta
Botanical Name:Hosta hybrid 'Diamond Lake'
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial
Family: Asparagaceae
Hardiness Zones: 3–9
Shadowland® 'Diamond Lake' is one of the finest large blue hostas available for shade gardens. Named the 2022 Hosta of the Year, this award-winning variety is admired for its massive heart-shaped leaves with dramatic wavy margins, thick substance, and intensely corrugated blue foliage. Throughout the growing season, it creates an elegant architectural presence in woodland gardens, shaded borders, and botanical landscapes.
In early summer, graceful scapes of pale lavender flowers rise above the foliage, attracting hummingbirds and adding another season of interest.
Why We Grow It at 19 Birch Lane
At 19 Birch Lane, Shadowland® 'Diamond Lake' represents everything we appreciate in a world-class shade perennial—exceptional foliage, outstanding garden performance, and season-long beauty. Its bold blue leaves provide contrast beneath trees, alongside woodland paths, and throughout our expanding botanical collections.
Whether planted as a specimen or massed together, Diamond Lake delivers texture and elegance from spring until frost.
Quick Facts
Botanical Name:Hosta hybrid 'Diamond Lake'
Common Name: Shadowland® 'Diamond Lake' Hosta
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial
Family: Asparagaceae
Hardiness Zones: 3–9
Height: 24–30 inches
Flower Scape Height: 25–28 inches
Spread: 48–54 inches
Growth Habit: Large Mounded Clump
Growth Rate: Moderate
Maintenance: Easy
Hosta of the Year: 2022
Growing Conditions
Light Requirements
Diamond Lake performs best in:
Partial Shade
Dappled Woodland Shade
Full Shade
Morning sun helps intensify foliage color, while protection from hot afternoon sun preserves its beautiful blue coating.
Soil Requirements
This hosta thrives in:
Rich organic soil
Moist, well-drained soil
Woodland soils
Acidic to neutral pH
Adding compost annually improves vigor and foliage quality.
Water Requirements
Average moisture
Consistently moist soil
Do not allow plants to dry completely
Mulch to conserve moisture during summer
Foliage Characteristics
Diamond Lake is grown primarily for its spectacular foliage.
Foliage Features
Rich powdery blue leaves
Thick, slug-resistant leaf substance
Deeply corrugated texture
Heart-shaped foliage
Strong wavy leaf margins
Outstanding architectural form
The thick foliage maintains its appearance throughout the growing season better than many traditional blue hostas.
Flower Characteristics
In early summer, tall flower scapes emerge above the foliage.
Flower Features
Pale lavender flowers
Bell-shaped blooms
Excellent hummingbird attraction
Adds vertical interest
Beautiful contrast against blue foliage
Although the foliage is the primary attraction, the flowers provide an elegant finishing touch.
Pollinator & Wildlife Benefits
Diamond Lake supports beneficial wildlife throughout the garden.
Attracts
Hummingbirds
Native Pollinators
Bees
The nectar-rich flowers provide an important early summer food source.
Garden Uses
This outstanding hosta is perfect for creating dramatic shade gardens.
Recommended Uses
Woodland Gardens
Shade Borders
Foundation Plantings
Botanical Gardens
Hosta Collections
Cottage Gardens
Japanese Gardens
Containers
Mass Plantings
Specimen Plantings
Its large size makes it an exceptional focal point in shaded landscapes.
Companion Plants
At 19 Birch Lane, Shadowland® 'Diamond Lake' pairs beautifully with:
Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum)
Astilbe
Brunnera
Heuchera
Pulmonaria
Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium)
Trillium
Hellebores
Ligularia
Hakone Grass (Hakonechloa)
Woodland Phlox
These combinations create layered shade gardens filled with texture and seasonal interest.
Care & Maintenance
Diamond Lake is an easy-care perennial once established.
Maintenance Tips
Plant in rich organic soil
Water during prolonged dry periods
Remove spent flower stalks after blooming
Cut foliage back after frost
Clean old foliage each fall to discourage insects and slugs
Divide mature plants every 5–7 years if desired
Landscape Design Ideas
Diamond Lake is one of the best hostas for creating bold texture in shaded gardens.
Use it:
Along woodland pathways
Beneath mature trees
Around water features
In large shade borders
As a specimen plant
In botanical collections
In oversized decorative containers
Its dramatic foliage contrasts beautifully with fine-textured ferns and ornamental grasses.
Why Gardeners Love Diamond Lake
✔ 2022 Hosta of the Year
✔ Spectacular blue foliage
✔ Thick slug-resistant leaves
✔ Outstanding garden performance
✔ Easy to grow
✔ Excellent for shade gardens
✔ Attracts hummingbirds
✔ Beautiful architectural texture
Plant Finder Details
Botanical Name:Hosta hybrid 'Diamond Lake'
Common Name: Shadowland® 'Diamond Lake' Hosta
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennial
Family: Asparagaceae
Hardiness Zones: 3–9
Height: 24–30 inches
Spread: 48–54 inches
Bloom Time: Early Summer
Flower Color: Pale Lavender
Foliage Color: Blue
Leaf Texture: Thick, Corrugated, Heart-Shaped
Growth Habit: Large Mounded Clump
Sun Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Shade
Water Requirements: Average
Maintenance: Easy
Container Friendly: Yes
Award: 2022 Hosta of the Year
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Diamond Lake considered one of the best blue hostas?
Its exceptionally thick, deeply corrugated blue leaves hold their color longer than many other blue hostas while offering superior slug resistance and outstanding landscape presence.
Does Diamond Lake attract hummingbirds?
Yes. The pale lavender flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds during early summer.
Is Diamond Lake good for containers?
Absolutely. Although it becomes quite large over time, it makes a spectacular feature plant in oversized containers placed in shaded patios and garden spaces.
Is this hosta deer resistant?
Hostas are not considered deer resistant. Protection may be necessary in areas with heavy deer pressure.
Botanical Garden Notes
Among the hundreds of hosta cultivars grown around the world, Shadowland® 'Diamond Lake' stands out as one of the premier blue-leaf varieties available today. Its award-winning foliage, impressive size, and exceptional texture make it a cornerstone plant within the shade gardens at 19 Birch Lane and a favorite among collectors and landscape designers alike.
Shadowland® 'Diamond Lake' Hosta (Hosta hybrid 'Diamond Lake')
2022 Hosta of the Year • A Bold Blue Hosta with Exceptional Texture and Lasting Beauty
📍 Where to Find This Plant at 19 Birch Lane
Visitors can experience Shadowland® 'Diamond Lake' Hosta growing in two of our favorite shaded collections:
🌿 Woodland Garden – Nestled beneath mature trees where its bold blue foliage creates striking contrast among ferns, trilliums, hellebores, and other woodland perennials.
🍁 Asian Garden – Planted alongside Japanese maples, ornamental grasses, and shade-loving companions, where its architectural foliage complements the peaceful character of this garden space.
As our botanical collections continue to expand, Diamond Lake remains one of the signature hostas featured throughout our shade gardens.
🌸 Seasonal Interest Calendar
🌱 Spring
Large blue shoots emerge from the ground before quickly unfurling into dramatic heart-shaped leaves. Fresh foliage displays its richest powdery-blue color as the garden awakens.
☀️ Summer
Massive corrugated blue leaves reach their full size, creating bold texture throughout the shade garden. Elegant pale lavender flowers bloom above the foliage, attracting hummingbirds and adding vertical interest.
🍂 Fall
The handsome blue foliage continues providing structure and color until frost. As temperatures cool, the leaves gradually fade before entering winter dormancy.
❄️ Winter
Although dormant, Diamond Lake returns reliably each spring, making it one of the longest-lived and most dependable perennials in the shade garden.
🎓 Garden Design Tips from 19 Birch Lane
At 19 Birch Lane, we use Shadowland® 'Diamond Lake' Hosta as an architectural anchor within our woodland and Asian-inspired gardens. Its oversized blue foliage creates a calming visual presence while serving as the perfect backdrop for finer-textured plants like Japanese painted ferns, Hakone grass, Astilbe, and spring woodland wildflowers.
For the greatest impact, we recommend planting Diamond Lake in groups of three or five where visitors can appreciate its impressive size and texture from nearby pathways. Pairing it with burgundy Japanese maples, soft ornamental grasses, and natural stone creates a timeless woodland composition that remains beautiful from spring through autumn.
This is one of those exceptional plants that becomes more impressive every year, rewarding gardeners with increasing size, richer texture, and a commanding presence that helps define the character of a shade garden.