Common Name: hosta
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Asparagaceae
Native Range: China
Zone: 3 to 9
Height: 1.50 to 2.00 feet
Spread: 2.50 to 4.00 feet
Bloom Time: August to September
Bloom Description: White
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flower: Showy, Fragrant, Good Cut
Attracts: Hummingbirds
Tolerate: Heavy Shade, Black Walnut
Culture
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions. Performs best in rich, moist, organic soils. Plants need consistent moisture during the growing season. Water is best applied directly to the soil beneath the leaves. Divide plants as needed in spring or autumn. Division is usually easiest in early spring before the leaves unfurl.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Hosta plantaginea var. japonica is an erect, large, vigorously growing hosta to 26" tall and 46" in diameter featuring large (11" x 8"), flat, heart-shaped, light green leaves and racemes of bell-shaped, fragrant, white flowers on scapes up to 60". A dependable and versatile perennial requiring little care. Grown primarily for its beautiful foliage which provides color, contrast and texture to the landscape. Dense foliage crowds out garden weeds. Synonymous with Hosta plantaginea var. grandiflora.
Genus name honors Austrian botanist Nicholas Thomas Host (1761-1834) and was first established in 1812. The genus was subsequently renamed in 1817 as Funkia in honor of botanist Heinrich Christian Funk under the belief at that time that Hosta was an invalid name. Hosta was finally reinstated as the genus name in 1905 by the International Botanical Congress.
Specific epithet means like plantain.
Problems
Although slugs and snails can be serious problems, and leaf spot and crown rot lesser problems, hostas are otherwise virtually disease and pest-free, and are ideal, low-maintenance garden perennials.
Uses
A mainstay of the shade garden. This large hosta may be best utilized as a specimen or large clump planting in shady locations in the woodland garden, perennial border or naturalized area.