Many people now grow miniature hostas either in a garden location; from alpine gardens, rockeries, raised beds, troughs or simply in pots. Modern gardens are often smaller in size, limiting the variety and range of plants their owners can grow. Down-sizing a garden does not necessarily restrict the number of varieties of hostas that can be grown. There are now many varieties of miniature and small hostas available, all of which will grow happily in our climate.

If you are an enthusiast of miniature and small hostas you are likely to know of a range called ‘Mouse’ hostas. There are now over 30 varieties to collect.

First grown in 1987 and developed by E & J Deckert of Nature’s Reign, Hampstead, Maryland in the United States of America that was a miniature blue leafed hosta called ‘Blue Mouse Ears’. This variety was a sport of Blue Cadet. ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ was registered in 2000 with the American Hosta Society. In 2008 the American Hosta Growers Association  awarded  Blue Mouse Ear ‘Hosta Of The Year’.

From these simple beginning many sports have been developed and are now commercially available.

Listed below is the current list of ‘Mouse’ hostas. All varieties highlighted in bold green text can be obtained from North Staffordshire Hostas. Details can also be found in our catalogue.

 

 

Blue Mouse Ears(E. & J. Deckert 2000) Almost round leaves, deeply cupped  of heavy substance produced on thick petioles. Medium blue colour. Size 9” x 12”. Leaf size 2 ½” x 2 ½”. Pale lavender hyacinth-like flowers produced on short stems.

Blue Mouse Ears Supreme (W. Silvers 2007) Sport of Blue Mouse Ears. Streaked version. Blue-green leaves with yellow-cream streaks. Size 6” x 10”. Leaf size 2” x 2 ½”.

Calico Mouse Ears (M.Zilis NR)  Sport of Frosted Mouse Ears. Rounded blue leaves with yellow streaks. Size 6” x 8”. Lavender flowers.

Cat and Mouse (H.Hansen 2007) Variegated sport of Blue Mouse Ears. Greenish yellow with a blue-green margin. Very small and flat growing variety. Size 3” x 6”. Leaf size 2” x 2 ½”. Requires good light conditions and a well drained compost.

Church Mouse(Walters Gardens NR) Sport of Blue Mouse Ears. Blue-green leaves, the edges have a ruffled appearance. Size 8” x 19”. Leaf size 3” x 2”. Lavender flowers.

Country Mouse Sport of Bill Dress’s Blue. Heart shaped leaves. Blue-green centred leaves with pure white margins. Slow growing. Size 3” x 6”. Leaf size 2” x 2”. Purple flowers.

Crazy Mouse Ears (J.Schwarz NR)

Dancing Mouse (M.Fransen NR) Sport of Blue Mouse Ears. Small blue green leaves with wavy yellow-green margins. Size 6” x 8”. Lavender flowers.

Desert Mouse(J. van den Top NR) Sport of One Iota Supreme. Rounded leaves that a pointed tips. Creamy-yellow centred leaves with blue-green margin. Size 7” x 18”. Leaf size 3” x 2”. Pale purple flowers.

Forest Mouse (J. van den Top NR) Sport of Green Mouse Ears. Green leaves of heavy substance with greenish-yellow margins. Size 6” x 8”. Lavender flowers.

Frosted Mouse Ears(M. Zilis; E. & J. Deckert 2006) Sport of Royal Mouse Ears. Thick rounded leaves. Blue leaves with a creamy margin fading to white by late summer. Slow growing. Needs mulching to avoid splash-back. Will take some sun. Size 7” x 12”. Leaf size 2 ½” x 2”.

Funny Mouse(Fransen NR) Sport of Blue Mouse Ears. Rounded leaves, blue-green centred with white margins. Size 7” x 18”. Leaf size 3” x 2”. Lavender flowers.

Giantland Mouse Cheese(M. Zilis; J. Miller & T. Meyer 2011) Seedling out of Blue Mouse Ears. Rounded leaves of  good substance. Outstanding bright gold leaves. Size 4” x 12”. Leaf size 2 ¾” x 2 ½”. Pale purple flowers.

Giantland Sunny Mouse Ears(M. Zilis; J.Miller & T. Meyer 2011) Heart-shaped leaves of thick substance. Leaves medium gold colour. Size 3” x 10”. Leaf size 1 ¾” x 1 ¾”. Pale purple flowers.

Green Mouse Ears(E. & J. Deckert 2004) Sport of Blue Mouse Ears. Round leaves, cupped of thick substance, green in colour. Size 8” x 12”. Leaf size 3” x 2”. Pale lavender striped flowers.

Happy Mouse (J. van den Top NR) Sport of Green Mouse Ears. Pointed green leaves of good substance with pale green streaks.

Holy Mouse Ears(M. Zilis; E. & J. Deckert 2006) Sport of Royal Mouse Ears. Almost round leaves. Creamy-white centred leaves with a feathered blue-green margin. Requires dappled shade. Slow growing. Size 6” x 12”. Leaf size 2” x 2”. Pale purple flowers.

Itty Bitty (M. Zilis 2010) Sport of Green Mouse Ears. Moderately ovate cupped green leaves with yellow centres which are streaked. Size 5” x 13”.

Jumbo Mouse Ears (H. Philips 2011)

Little Ice Mouse (J. van den Top NR) Sport of Green Mouse Ears. Ovate wavy leaves green with narrow white margins.

Lucky Mouse(J. van den Top NR) Sport of One Iota Supreme. Thick blue leaves with creamy-yellow margins. Moderately wavy leaves. Size 6” x 8”. Lavender flowers.

Mighty Moe (W. Silvers 2009) Sport of Blue Mouse Ears Supreme. Green leaves with pale yellow centres.

Mighty Mouse (Walters Gardens 2006) Sport of Blue Mouse Ears. Rounded  leaves with pointed tips. Blue-green leaves with pale yellow margins turning white by late summer. Moderately fast growing. Requires dappled shade. Size 4” x 8”. Leaf size 3” x 3”. Lavender flowers.

Mini Mouse (R. Goodwin)

Minnie Mouse (= Missie Mouse K. Squires)

Mouse Tracks (Walters Gardens & A. Bergeron 2009) Sport of Mighty Mouse. Streaked blue-green centred leaves with pale yellow margins turning white by late summer.

Mouse Trap (Shady Oaks Nursery NR) Sport of Blue Mouse Ears. Bright white centred leaves with a blue-green margin.

Mrs. Mouse Ears (M. Testart NR)

Mystic Mouse (D. Van Eechaute NR) Sport of Blue Mouse Ears. Thick round leaves chartreuse centre with blue green margins. Size 6” x 14”. Lavender flowers.

One Iota (J. Anderson NR) Sport of Blue Mouse Ears. Dark green centred leaves with a cream edge.

One Iota Supreme (J. Schwarz NR) Sport of One Iota. Blue green leaves streaked creamy-white.

Pure Heart (Walters Gardens & J. Westendorp 2009) Sport of Mighty Mouse. White centred leaves narrow dark green margins. Size 5” x 9”. Leaf size 2 ½” x 2 1/2". Slow growing variety which needs tender care until established. Lavender flowers.

Royal Mouse Ears (E. & J. Deckert 2004) Sport of Blue Mouse Ears. Blue-green at the base of the leaf. Streaked with gold. Size 8” x 18”. Pale purple flowers.

Ruffled Mouse Ears(M. Zilis 2011) Sport of Blue Mouse Ears. Rounded leaves of thick substance with rippled edges at maturity. Blue-green to green in colour. Size 6” x 14”. Leaf size 2 ¾” x 2 ½”. Purple flowers.

Snow Mouse(M. Fransen NR) Sport of Blue Mouse Ears. Very thick rounded leaves. White centred leaves with blue-green margins which are wider than Holy Mouse Ears. Slow growing. 7” x 12”. Leaf size 2 ½” x 2”. Lavender flowers.