Description
Oh, if you haven’t discovered the magic of HOSTA ‘FRANCEE’ yet, you’re in for a real treat! This stunning variegated plantain lily is exactly what every Connecticut gardener needs to brighten up those tricky shady corners where so many other plants just won’t cooperate. With its gorgeous dark green leaves dramatically edged in crisp white, ‘Francee’ brings sophistication and polish to any garden setting, and honestly, it’s one of those plants that makes you feel like a design genius just by placing it in your landscape.
What it looks like
The moment you see ‘Francee’ in person, you’ll understand why hostas have such a devoted following here in New England. This cultivar produces mounded clumps of heart-shaped leaves that are a deep, rich green with a creamy white border that absolutely glows in shadowy areas. The variegation is really striking and stays consistent throughout the entire growing season—no fading or losing that gorgeous edge. In summer, you’ll get bonus lavender flowers held on tall stems above the foliage, which are lovely for cutting and bring even more interest to the garden. The whole plant has a tidy, architectural quality that looks equally at home in a cottage garden or a more formal landscape setting.
Growing it in our Connecticut climate
Here’s what I love about recommending ‘Francee’ to my fellow Connecticut gardeners: it’s incredibly well-suited to our New England growing conditions. This hosta is winter-hardy and has no problem with our Zone 5 climate—it’ll come back reliably year after year. It absolutely thrives in the shade or partial shade that we have so much of under our mature trees, and it’s not fussy about soil as long as it has decent drainage. In fact, if you’re dealing with the clay soil that many Connecticut properties have, hostas like ‘Francee’ are some of your best friends because they’re so forgiving. Plant it in spring or fall, give it regular water during establishment, and you’re golden.
Through the seasons
‘Francee’ puts on a beautiful show from spring through fall in our gardens. As spring arrives and the weather warms, the first unfurling leaves emerge with that perfect two-tone coloring right from the start—there’s no waiting to see that gorgeous white edge appear. Through summer, the foliage stays taut and fresh-looking, and those lavender flowers arrive in July and August, adding vertical interest and delicate color. Come fall, the leaves gradually yellow and fade, eventually dying back to the ground after our first heavy frost. But here’s the best part: come spring, those underground crowns wake up and send up fresh new growth, and the whole cycle begins again. This plant truly earns its place in your garden through every season.
Where it really shines
If you have a shady woodland edge, under mature trees, or along the north side of your house, ‘Francee’ is absolutely perfect. It’s wonderful for creating layers and texture in shade gardens, and it’s tall enough to serve as a mid-height anchor plant without being overwhelming. Many of my customers love using it near hostas with solid colored foliage to create contrast—imagine ‘Francee’ next to a blue-leaved hosta, and you’ve got something truly special. It’s also fantastic in containers on a shaded patio or deck, and it makes an excellent edging plant for shaded borders. Because it’s so reliable and attractive, it works beautifully in naturalized woodland settings, cottage gardens, or contemporary landscape designs.
Perfect companions
Think about pairing ‘Francee’ with other shade-loving perennials that complement its formal elegance. Ferns are natural companions—try it with autumn fern or Christmas fern for texture contrast. Shade-tolerant groundcovers like creeping phlox or lamium work beautifully at its base. If you want to play up the white variegation, partner it with white-flowering shade plants like astilbe or white woodland phlox. Other hostas with different foliage colors create stunning combinations—blues, golds, and solid greens all look fabulous nearby. Even shade-tolerant shrubs like hydrangeas or Japanese pieris make excellent companions, creating a layered, sophisticated planting scheme.
Care tips
Once established, ‘Francee’ is wonderfully low-maintenance. Water regularly during dry spells, especially during the first year of growth. A light application of balanced fertilizer in spring will keep it happy and vigorous. Deer tend to browse hosta foliage, so if you have hungry deer in your neighborhood, you might want to use deer netting or repellent spray, especially when the new leaves are emerging. Remove flower stems after blooming if you prefer, though I often leave them because they’re attractive. In fall, you can leave the old foliage on the plant for winter interest or clean it up—the hosta doesn’t care either way. Divide the clumps every 4-5 years in early spring to rejuvenate the plant and share it with friends.
Quick facts
- Hardiness Zone: 3-8
- Mature Height & Spread: 18-24 inches tall and wide
- Bloom Season: July-August
- Light Requirements: Shade to partial shade
- Water Needs: Regular moisture; drought-tolerant once established
- Available at: Both our retail and wholesale locations.