HOSTA (Hos'ta)
DESCRIPTION: Hostas, also known as Plantain Lily and Funkia, are grown mainly for their attractive foliage, which comes in a wide range of textures and colors including green, green variegated with white, cream or yellow, blue green, golden yellow and greenish-yellow. Many Hostas produce lovely spikes of tubular-, trumpet- or bell-shaped flowers in different shades of purple or white, some of which are very fragrant. The larger, clump-forming varieties make excellent ground cover. The height ranges between the varieties from 6 inches to 31/2 feet. These perennials are natives to eastern Asia. H. undulata var. univittata has narrowly oval leaves with twisted tips. They are about 6 inches long and are medium green with a white central blotch. In mid-summer, spikes of pale mauve flowers grow. H. 'Love Pat' has dark glaucous blue, cupped and deeply puckered leaves that grow up to 6 inches long. Its pale lilac flowers are borne in the summer. H. 'Golden Prayers' has vibrant golden-yellow, heart-shaped leaves that are cupped and puckered. In mid-summer, compact heads of lavender and white flowers are produced. This plant is well suited to a rock garden since it only grows up to 6 inches high with a 12-inch spread. Other types will be mentioned below in the varieties section.
POTTING: Hostas prefer partial shade, but will tolerate full shade. Plant them in moist, but well drained, humus-rich, neutral soil. Make sure to protect the leaves against slug and snail damage.
PROPAGATION: These plants are easily increased by division in early spring. Seeds may also be sown in a shaded frame in light soil in early summer. They may be planted out the following spring.
VARIETIES: H. Fortunei & var. albopicta, aureomarginata; H. lancifolia; H. Sieboldiana & var. elegans, kabitan; H. undulata & var. univittata, albomarginata; H. caerulea; H. plantaginea; H. decorata; H. crispula; H.'Ginko Craig'; H. 'Shade Fanfare'; H. 'Ground Master'; H. 'Regal Splendor'; H. rohdeifolia; H. 'Haleyon'; H. 'Snowden'; H. 'Krossa Regal'; H. 'Blue Wedgewood'; H. tokudama aureonebulosa; H. 'Love Pat'; H. 'Hadspen Blue'; H. tardiflora; H. plantaginea; H. ventricosa & var. aureomarginata, aureomaculata; H. 'Tall Boy'; H. 'Royal Standard'; H. 'Honeybells'; H. venusta; H. 'August Moon'; H. 'Blue Skies'; H. 'Frances William'; H. montana; H. 'Golden Tiara'; H. 'Piedmont Gold'; H. 'Wide Brim'; H. 'Birchwood Parky's Gold'; H. 'Gold Standard'; H. 'Golden Prayers'; H. 'Sum and Substance'.
Go see DICTIONARY OF BOTANICAL NAMES.
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