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Herbaceous Perennial

Hosta 'Purple Heart'

plantain lily 'Purple Heart'

A clump-forming herbaceous perennial. It has lime to green leaves, with bases flushed maroon atop dark maroon to almost black petioles. Pale purple flowers are borne on maroon coloured spikes in late Summer

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Purple Black Purple Green
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full shade
  • Partial shade
Aspect

North–facing or East–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Asparagaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Hosta are clump-forming herbaceous perennials with simple, ovate or lance-shaped leaves, often attractively coloured or variegated, and erect racemes of nodding, funnel or bell-shaped flowers in early summer

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Performs best in neutral or slightly acid soil that is moist but well drained, sheltered from cold dry winds in partial shade. Will not tolerate drought. Apply a mulch in Spring. Leaf colour may be poor if planted in chalky soil.

Propagation

Propagate by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
  • Ground cover
Pruning

Remove dead foliage when growing season is over

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails, vine weevils but has some resistance to slugs

Diseases

May be susceptible to a virus

Get involved

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