Native to China and Japan, hostas are extremely resilient perennials that survive in heavy shade, a wide range of soils, and many different temperate zones. The foliage of many hostas is quite attractive, and the flowers (especially those of H. plantaginea) are quite fragrant.
Hosta plantaginea (Hosta, August Lily, Fragrant Plantain Lily)
Deciduous: yes
Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Height: 30-45 centimeters (12-18 inches) tall
Diameter: 45-60 centimeters (18-24 inches) wide
Growth Rate: moderate
Age: perennial (mature in typically 4-5 years, divide after that)
Root System: fleshy with spreading rhizomes
Family: Asparagaceae
Subspecies: ‘Grandiflora’, ‘August Moon’, ‘Honeybells’, ‘Piedmont Gold’, ‘Royal Standard’, ‘Sweet Susan’, ‘Sum and Substance’, var. ‘Japonica’
Tolerates: heavy shade, Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) toxins (juglones), very resilient of diseases and pests, neglect (low maintenance), poor air quality (air pollution)
Problems (major): none
Problems (minor): slugs, snails, leaf spot, crown rot, black vine weevils, sunscald
Poisonous: toxic to cats, dogs, and horses (contain Saponins)
Soil requirements: performs best in consistently moist, medium/loamy, well-drained soils
Air requirements: mildly tolerant of urban pollution
Watering requirement: moderate
Sun requirement: part-shade to full shade (perform best on eastern sides of homes)
Leaf shape: heart-shaped, round, deep green, 7-9 easily visible veins
Leaf size: up to 25 centimeters (10 inches) long
Flower structure: a flowering spike (called a “scape”) up to 75 centimeters (30 inches) tall with many trumpet-shaped, fragrant, white flowers up to 10 centimeters(4 inches) long
Flowering frequency: begin blooming in August (flower annually)
Bulb/tuber: rhizome
Monocot/Dicot: monocot
Annual/Biennial/Perennial: perennial
Notable characteristics:
Extremely tolerant of many soil conditions and climates, hostas are very popular perennials for homes in North America.
Uses:
Hostas are very commonly used as garden plants for their incredible hardiness. The cut flowers are sometimes used as gifts.
Sources used:
- http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=h120
- https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=HOPL2
- http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/homegardening/scened264.html
- http://www.extension.umn.edu/garden/yard-garden/landscaping/hostas/
- http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/plantain-lily
- http://plants.connon.ca/11100004/Plant/7113/Plantain_Lily
- http://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/plants/landscape/flowers/hgic1165.html
- http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=d320
The hostas on the right are August Lilies. (H. ‘Halycon’ is on the left in the left picture;
Hosta ‘June’ or Hasta ‘Jonet’
Hosta ‘Patriot’
Hosta ‘Francee’
Multiple other Hosta varieties/cultivars
All of the images provided were taken by me. They may be used for educational/informational purposes only, provided that this article/online journal is appropriately cited first.
A Fascinating Green World 