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Plant Profile: Hosta

Hosta

Hosta - "Fragrant Plantain Lily"

Family: Agavaceae

Common Name(s): Day Lily, Plantain lily

Native to: Northeast Asia

Flowering: Summer

Watering: Keep the soil moist during the growing season.

Planting Aspect: Full shade to part shade

Preferred Climate: Temperate, Subtropical, Grassland


Description

An easily grown frost hardy perennial valued for its decorative foliage and dainty colourful flowers in summer. All varieties produce broad, handsome leaves which vary in texture and colour from marbled or marked with white and others bluish green through to yellow. Nodding bell or trumpet shaped flowers in white, pink or shades of purple and blue are produced on tall stems up to 45cm. Both the leaves and flowers can be used for floral arrangements. A shade loving plant that is equally at home in large pots and containers; an excellent ground cover plant or adding an exotic touch to the side of a pond or water feature.


Cultivation

Hostas require a shady position and rich, moist, neutral pH, well drained soil. Prepare the growing site by digging over the soil and adding a good handful of blood and bone, rich compost or well decayed animal manure prior to planting out. Plants will respond well to regular applications of liquid fertiliser and watering throughout the growing season. Protect them from snails and slugs.
Revised: 18th Dec 2009 @ 3:05 PM
Keywords: hosta, agavaceae, hosta, plant, nursery, flowers, growing, lily, soil, shade