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Herbaceous Perennial

Hosta ventricosa

blue plantain lily

A robust herbaceous perennial making a large clump of wavy-edged, dark glossy green heart-shaped leaves to 18cm in length. Deep purple bell-shaped flowers are borne on erect stems to 90cm in late summer

Other common names
murasaki-giboshi
Savannah wood
Synonyms
Hosta coerulea var. latifolia
Hosta coerulea
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Purple Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

North–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Asparagaceae
Native to the UK
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

Correct

Plant range
China

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in part shade with shelter from cold, dry winds. See hosta cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division in late summer or early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Garden edging
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning

Remove spent foliage as required and clear up dead foliage when it dies back at the end of the growing season

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails; plants in pots may be susceptible to vine weevil

Diseases

May be subject to a virus

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