Take a chance on something extraordinary. Hosta ‘Chance Encounter’ new in 2025 brings rare beauty to the shade garden with powdery blue, heart-shaped leaves framed by wide, jagged golden margins. In spring, those margins emerge fresh apple-green before maturing into radiant gold, setting off the striking blue centers. Where the two colors meet, a shimmering watermark halo appears—a rare and memorable detail that inspired its name.
 
Though modest in height at just 12–16 inches, ‘Chance Encounter’ spreads generously to more than 3 feet across, offering a broad, luminous presence. It shines as a specimen at the front of a border, where its shifting hues and rare halo effect can be fully appreciated. White flowers rise above the foliage in early summer, adding a soft note of contrast.
 
Why add it to your garden
Rare watermark halo between leaf center and margin—a gardener’s delight
Wide, jagged golden margins shift from spring green to glowing summer gold
Elegant white flowers in early summer
Perfect specimen for the front of a shade border or mixed hosta planting
Broad 3-foot spread fills shady spaces with color and presence
 
Collector’s Corner
Notable Characteristics: Blue leaves with jagged golden margins and a distinctive watermark where colors meet
Parentage: Cross between H. ‘Viking Ship' and an unnamed streaked sport of H. sieboldiana ‘Elegans.’
Introduced by: Walters Gardens
Hybridizer: H. Hansen