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Robust
herbaceous perennial forming bold clumps, grown mostly for
its foliage. |
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All
Hosta species provides luxuriant foliage in the shade or
partial shade border planting. |
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Shelter
from strong winds is needed to prevent scorching of new
foliage. |
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Thrives
in most fertile garden soils with enriched compost,
preferring pH range 6 – 7. |
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Mulch
in autumn with compost. Apply occasional high Nitrogen
foliar feed from spring to early summer to ensure
optimal leaf size. |
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Best
if planted in the early Spring or Autumn. |
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Hosta
clumps should not be divided for at least three years,
allowing for the roots and leaves to reach maturity. |
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References: RHS, Brooklyn
Botanical, Hortus.
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at
a glance:
Plant type:
Herbaceous perennial
Family: Liliaceae
Height/Spread:
: 2 ft. x 2 ft. mound
Common Name: Hosta,
Plantain Lily.
Leaves: : :
Heart-shaped leaf, 1 ft. long x 8 in. wide, decurrent
on 14 in. petiole, with prominent veins beneath in 8 – 10 pairs.
Heavy textured, mid to dark green in color.
Flowers: Tubular, pale
lavender flowers on 2.5 ft. – 3 ft. scapes.
Conditions: Shade to
partial shade in moist, well-draining loamy soil.
Disease/pests: Slugs
and snails are the chief pests. Can experience crown rot in warm,
temperate climates.
Bloom Period: July
through early August
Natural Range: H. fortunei is considered to
be a hybridized species, with parents cultivated from Britain,
Europe, U.S. and Japan. The natural range for the genus Hosta is
Japan, China and Korea.
Location: Ground Cover Garden, Yao Japanese Garden,
NPA Border
Hardiness:
Hardiness zone: 4 -8
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Alternate species and cultivars: Hosta
fortunei - ‘Albo-marginata’ leaves dull mid to deep green above,
irregularly edged pale ivory to white, with veins in 7 – 8 distinct
pairs below. ‘Aurea’ leaves are vivid pastel yellow slowly turning
green as the leaf matures. ‘Spinners’ produces robust sage green
leaves with undulate edges. The edges of the leaf are a creamy yellow that
ages to white as the leaf matures.
Hosta sieboldiana – ‘Elegans’ produces very large ovate to
cordate leaves, expanding to 20 in. x 12 in. The leaves are deeply veined
in 14 – 18 pairs, giving the plant a quilted appearance. The leaves are
colored glaucous blue, which fades to an amber hue in the winter. The
leaves are held aloft on erect 2 ft. petioles. The petioles are colored a
pale green that fades to white at the base. The flowers are a translucent
lilac shooting skyward on 2 ft. scapes.
Hosta tokudama f. flavocircinalis – a slow growing species that
should not be disturbed for at least five years, allowing for the plant to
become well-established prior to division. Cordate to orbicular shaped
leaves, glabrous blue above and edged bright yellow. The leaf is flat and
heavily textured with 13 prominent veins in pairs. The petiole reaches 8
in., is colored glaucous blue, holding the leaf rather stiffly at a 45
degree angle. Provides a scape held aloft at 1 ft.
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