This is a sport of an unnamed hybrid plant that was the result of a cross of H. 'Crepe Suzette' × H. 'Blue Moon'. H. 'Karen' was registered by Dr. Bob Olson in 1999. This small size plant (6 inches high) has slightly corrugated leaves. It develops pale lavender flowers in July.

According to The Hostapedia by Mark Zilis (2009), "Bob Olson named this attractive, low, dense mound of white edged foliage for his wife."

Named for Bob's wife. Do not confuse it with another cultivar called H. 'Karin'.