Bold-leaved hostas

Oval to heart-shaped, bright green to blue-grey leaves, which can be edged or splashed with white or yellow. The leaves of these hostas can be up to 50cm (20in) long. Tall stems bearing funnel-shaped white, lilac or purple flowers rise above them in summer.

Hostas will grow in most soil types but are best in fertile soil in partial shade (a few such as ‘Blue Umbrellas’ and ‘Honeybells’ tolerate full sun). Variegated varieties need some sun to heighten the colour.

They will not do well in hot, dry conditions, and in poor soil. Varieties with thin-textured leaves can scorch in full sun.

The thick leaves of blue and grey varieties are coated with a kind of wax that prevents moisture loss, so these are more tolerant of sun than the green-leaved kinds. Slug-resistant cultivars include ‘Autumn Frost’, ‘Devon Green’ and ‘Blue Elf’.