May Plant of the Month

Hosta

Hosta may just be the most well known perennial world wide. With 30 to 45 species, thousands of registered cultivars and probably just as many unregistered ones, there are selections available in a vast array of sizes, shapes, forms and colors.

The taxonomists have been busy with this genus, some former species are now considered cultivars and even the family is in contention. Traditionally considered to be within Liliaceae, but George Schmid (1991, The Genus Hosta) suggested a change to Hostaceae and recent genetic research places this genus firmly within Agavaceae, most experts are now accepting Hostaceae or Liliaceae. Whatever name we use these much loved foliage plants are a necessity for any foliage aficionado who can place them out of the hot afternoon sun.

Hosta are native to China, Japan and Korea where they grow naturally in many different situations thereby providing our modern hybrids with the ability to adapt to a range of garden sites. Ranging in size from miniatures of less than 4" (10 cm) to behemoths of over 6' (2m) in height and spread, suitable for massing or specimen use and everything in between, undemanding and very easy to care for, it is little wonder that their popularity is sustained for the gardening public and the commercial landscape market. Hosta are known for their foliage - leaves in shades of green, blue, cream, gold and white and every combination you can imagine. Shiny, matt, smooth, corrugated, oval, heart shaped, lanceolate, round or pointed. But it should not be forgotten that Hosta are also lovely flowering plants, and any cultivar that has H. plantagina in its background is also likely to have a wonderful fragrance. Hosta are hardy in zones 3-8 and generally prefer light shade but some require more or less sun to make the most of their foliage colors. Both the foliage and the flowers are excellent for cutting with the latter also being edible.

All in all this is a group of plants that has been know to engender addictions but should be essential in any garden. They are one of the easiest perennials to grow for novices and time challenged. Hosta can be planted and 'forgotten' until their understated beauty makes their presence unforgettable.

Hosta 'Abiqua Drinking Gourd' (Walden West 89)
Hosta 'Christmas Candy' PPAF, PVR (Eijk-Bos 02)
Hosta 'Diana Remembered' (Kulpa 97)

Hosta 'Abiqua Drinking Gourd' (Walden West 89)
Delicious round, powder blue leaves form a distinctive cup on mature plants - essential to give your garden gnomes something to drink from! Each leaf is heavily corrugated with thick substance, imparting excellent slug tolerance. Late June brings a display of white flowers on 2' (60 cm) scapes. Mature plants will form a clump about 20" (50cm) tall by 45" (1.2m) wide. The parentage of H. 'Tokudama' x H. sieboldiana causes this cultivar to be quite slow growing but with an unforgettable garden presence.

Hosta 'Christmas Candy' PPAF, PVR (Eijk-Bos 02)
This sport of the popular H. 'Night Before Christmas' is a recent release from the Netherlands. 'Christmas Candy' has dark green leaves with a bright creamy white broad center that holds its color all summer providing great contrast. Lavender flowers top the plant in late summer. Mature plants are very tolerant of sunny locations providing the soil is kept moist, and can be expected to reach a height of 14" (35cm) and a spread of 24" (60cm).

Hosta 'Diana Remembered' (Kulpa 97)
With H. plantaginea in its ancestry you can be assured that the 2' (60cm) scapes of pure white flowers are extremely fragrant. The oval blue-green shiny leaves are nicely puckered and slightly rippled with crisp creamy white margins. A mature plant will typically be about 16" (40cm) tall and spread to about 24" (60cm).

Hosta 'Independence' PP# 17044
In the world of subtle foliage differences there is really nothing like H. 'Independence'. Dark green heart shaped leaves have a broad creamy white margin which is then speckled with flecks of dark green pigments. Very intriguing and a must have plant for any patriot as it is a sport of H. 'Revolution' which is a sport of H. 'Loyalist'. Light lavender flowers in mid summer on plants that reach a height of 22" (55cm) and a spread of 20" (50cm).

Hosta 'Tortilla Chip' (Zilis/Solberg 02)
Bright golden-yellow smooth foliage that retains its hue all season, not reverting to green by mid summer as some early golden Hosta are wont to do. Fragrant flowers are pale lavender to almost white. H. 'Tortilla Chip' is a sport of H. 'Stained Glass' which in turn is a sport of the wonderful H. 'Guacamole' so you can expect this plant to reach a mature size of about 2' (60 cm) in height and 3' (1m) in width.