Hosta plantaginea var. japonica
Japanese fragrant plantain lily
An herbaceous perennial with shining, light green, wavy-edged, ovate or heart-shaped leaves to 25cm long, and fragrant, pure white long-tubed flowers on stems to 60cm tall in late summer
Synonyms
Hosta plantaginea 'Grandiflora'Hosta plantaginea var. grandiflora
see moreHosta japonica var. grandiflora
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- 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
Propagation is by division in early spring. Seed-raised offspring of species and particularly cultivars will be variable
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
- Ground cover
- 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
Problems with a virus are becoming more common
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.