Hosta × 'Shadowland Empress Wu' is a truly giant hosta grown for its massive, thick-textured foliage and bold presence in the shade garden. You will get an upright, architectural mound of deeply veined, dark green leaves that becomes a natural focal point as it matures.
Plant it where you can give it room to expand and where the soil stays consistently moist but drains well. You will see the best growth in rich, organic soil with regular watering during dry spells. Part shade is ideal, and it also performs well in full shade; in hotter climates, afternoon shade helps keep foliage looking its best.
In summer, tall flower scapes rise above the leaves with pale violet blooms that add seasonal interest without taking attention away from the foliage. For the cleanest look, you can remove spent flower stems after bloom, or leave them for added height and movement in the border.
Keep your plant thriving by mulching to conserve moisture, watering at the base to keep leaves drier, and watching for slugs and snails that can chew foliage. You can divide mature clumps in early spring or early fall if needed, but many gardeners prefer to let this selection reach its full, impressive size before disturbing it.