Plant Image Data Base
Hosta
Hosta or Plantain Lily
- Form
- herbaceous perennial
- foliage ranges from 0.5' to 3' tall with an even
wider width, depending upon cultivar
- Culture
- partial sun to full shade (in most instances)
- prefers moist, rich, well-drained soils with
supplemental organic matter, but is adaptable to
poor soils as long as sufficient drainage is
provided to prevent dormant season crown rot
- tolerant of Summer drought as long as the plant
is root-established and is sited in partial shade
to full shade
- Foliage
- leaves are different shades of green, chartreuse,
gold, or blue, frequently with white, cream,
gold, or yellow variegation
- fall color becomes a faded golden-brown or
chartreuse with the onset of cooler temperatures
(irrespective of Summer foliage color or
variegation) and quickly melts back to the ground
with early frosts
- Flowers
- white, lavender, or light purple, and sometimes
slightly fragrant
- blooming for about two weeks at some period from
July through September, depending upon cultivar
- Function
- foundations, beds, edgings, borders, group
plantings, entranceways, under story plantings
beneath large trees, or focal points in the shade
- Assets
- bold foliage is striking for color, variegation,
size, and/or growth habit in the shade
- Purpose
- Hosta is the classic foliage perennial for shady
sites.
- Summary
- Hosta is a bold-textured foliage perennial
for partial sun to full shade conditions, also
having moderately attractive flowers on long
stalks in Summer, with hundreds of cultivars to
choose from, differing primarily in foliage
color, variegation, and size.
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