Shadowland® 'Empress Wu' Hosta

Shadowland® Empress Wu is a giant hosta with deeply veined, dark-green leaves and a strong upright clumping habit. Purple flowers rise above the foliage in early to midsummer, while the plant builds its full scale over several seasons. ## Garden Character A mature clump reaches roughly 3–4 feet tall and 5–6 feet wide. Its immense leaves create a bold focal point in a shaded border or specimen planting. Walters Gardens lists Empress Wu for USDA zones 3–9 and notes that it takes several years—about five under good conditions—to reach full size. ## Growing Conditions Choose part shade to full shade and provide rich, well-drained soil with steady moisture. Water consistently during establishment and dry periods; avoid letting the root zone remain parched. The cultivar grows in acidic to neutral soil. Its scale makes it most effective where the leaves can expand without crowding neighboring plants. ## Maintenance Keep the root zone mulched and water during extended dry weather. Remove flower stalks after bloom if desired, then allow the leaves to die back naturally. Cut away dormant foliage in late fall or early winter. [Walters Gardens](https://www.waltersgardens.com/variety.php?ID=HSEMW) provides the cultivar’s mature-size range, bloom information, and cultural details.