Want to get the best-looking hostas? It all starts with finding the right balance of sun and shade for your cultivar. Even the most shade-tolerant hostas — often the cultivars with blue leaves — need some sunlight. And others produce brighter foliage if they get several hours of direct sun, especially morning light.

Click ahead for a handy guide: 13 well-known hostas, all cold-hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8, and their preferred light conditions.

‘Abiqua Drinking Gourd’ Cupped blue-green leaves; white flowers; 18 to 24 in. tall, 30 to 36 in. wide
‘Blue Angel’ Large blue leaves; lavender flowers; 36 to 48 in. tall and wide
‘Blue Ice’ Small blue leaves; pale lavender flowers; 8 to 12 in. tall, 10 to 15 in. wide
‘Frances Williams’ Puckered blue-green leaves with yellow edges; white flowers; 24 to 30 in. tall, 48 to 72 in. wide
‘Hadspen Blue’ Steel-blue leaves; lavender flowers; 12 to 18 in. tall, 18 to 24 in. wide
‘Halcyon’ Frosty blue leaves; pale violet flowers; 18 to 30 in. tall, 30 to 36 in. wide
‘Love Pat’ Puckered leaves of intense blue; white flowers; 15 to 20 in. tall, 36 to 48 in. wide

‘Fragrant Bouquet’ Pale green leaves with creamy white edges; white flowers; 18 to 36 in. tall, 24 to 36 in. wide
‘Gold Standard’ Gold with dark green edges; lavender flowers; 18 to 30 in. tall, 18 to 36 in. wide
‘Guacamole’ Apple-green leaves with dark green edges; white flowers; 18 to 36 in. tall, 36 to 48 in. wide
‘Krossa Regal’ Frosty gray-green leaves; lavender flowers; 48 to 72 in. tall, 36 to 72 in. wide
‘Patriot’ Deep green leaves with white edges; lavender flowers; 12 to 18 in. tall, 24 to 36 in. wide
‘Sum and Substance’ Large gold leaves; lavender flowers; 24 to 36 in. tall, 36 to 60 in. wide