The Chinese Hostas, Part 2 (H. plantaginea and H. clausa var. ensata)

Hostas are native to just three countries – Japan, China, and Korea. In my last article I discussed two of the four species native to China – Hosta albofarinosa and H. ventricosa. Though Hosta albofarinosa is rare in the nursery trade, Hosta ventricosa is readily available. One of the first hostas to come out of its native Asia, it is most known for being the only hosta which comes genetically true from seed propagation, a phenomenon called apomixis.  It is easy to grow and tolerates a wide range of environmental conditions. In this article, I will discuss the other two species native to China – Hosta plantaginea and H. clausa var. ensata.

Hosta clausa var. ensata, like H. albofarinosa, is rarely seen in cultivation. It forms a small mound, about 10 inches tall and wide. It spreads by means of rhizomes, but not as vigorously as other Hosta clausa varieties. Scapes rise to a height of 12 to 22 inches, and are slightly purplish at the base. The flowers are purple, blooming in August and September. Unlike the form usually found in American gardens, Hosta clausa var. clausa, the flowers are open and fertile.

Hosta clausa var. ensata has an upright form with sword-shaped leaves, usually narrower than other clausas. It is found in Northeast China along the Yalu River and in Korea. Originally published as Hosta ensata, it is now considered a variant of Hosta clausa. It is similar in appearance to Hosta ‘Lancifolia’, but is smaller and has more substance to the leaves.

While Hosta clausa var. ensata  has not been used in hybridization, its Korean counterpart, Hosta clausa var. normalis, has  been used, most notably by Bob Solberg to isolate and enhance the purple coloration of the petioles and move it up into the leaves.

Seeds of Hosta plantaginea, sometimes commonly called the August Lily, made their way to Europe as early as 1784, the earliest of any hosta. Live plants soon followed in 1790, and were brought to the United States before 1839. Plant size is medium, with an average height of about 18 inches and spread of 24 inches. Leaves of Hosta plantaginea are a glossy light green to yellow green. They are deeply lobed at the base.

Hosta plantaginea has the largest flowers of any hosta, up to 6 inches long. They are pure white and fragrant, the only species to have this characteristic. Scapes reach a height of 18 to 34 inches. Flowers open in late afternoon, usually in the months of August and September. In order to flower and set seed, the plant requires moisture, extended warm summers, and more sun than most hostas. Even under the best of conditions, though, it is not a good seed producer.

Sports of Hosta plantaginea include ‘Aphrodite’, a double flowered form. This popular plant is the only garden sport of the species; all other sports originated in tissue culture. These include ‘Fragrant Flame’, with yellow streaks, ‘Heaven Scent’, with a yellow margin and streaked center, ‘Ming Treasure’ and ‘White Shoulders’, which have a green center and white margins, ‘Marbled Bouquet’, which is streaked, and ‘Doubled up’, a tetraploid.

Because of the fragrant flowers and sun tolerance, Hosta plantaginea has been used widely in hybridization work. Progeny include ‘Big Bloomers’ (a cross with ‘Blue Umbrellas), ‘Curly Top’ (with ‘Ginko Craig’), ‘Emily Dickinson’ (with ‘Neat Splash’), ‘Honeybells’ (with H. sieboldii), ‘Iron Gate Supreme’ (with ‘Tokudama Aureonebulosa’), ‘Raleigh Remembrance’ (with ‘Sum and Substance’), ‘Suzy Q’ (with H. pycnophylla), ‘Sweet Susan’ (with H. sieboldii), and ‘Royal Standard’ (with H. sieboldiana). I found an abundance of ‘Royal Standard’ growing in my yard when I moved to Cedarburg in 2011. Though I have eliminated many of them, I left a large planting that graces one side of my patio. The fragrance there in late summer is outstanding!

Though there are only four hosta species originating in China, two of them, H. ventricosa and H. plantaginea, are widely found in Western gardens. Perhaps the other two species will find use by hybridizers as well.

Hosta clausa var. ensata

Hosta plantaginea

Hosta plantaginea flowers

Hosta plantaginea ‘Doubled Up’

Hosta ‘Royal Standard’

Hosta ‘Royal Standard’