Introducing...
Bold-leaved hostas
Botanical name: Hosta
Hostas are excellent foliage plants combining well with other shade-loving plants such as ferns and hellebores and make good ground cover before dying back in late autumn. The leaves and flowers can be used in floristry.
Looks
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.
Likes
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.
Dislikes
They will not do well in hot, dry conditions, and in poor soil. Varieties with thin-textured leaves can scorch in full sun.
Did you know?
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’.
Growing guide
How to grow hostas
All the information you’ll need to grow and care for hostas in your garden.
Useful advice
Acidifying soil
Chalky soils: plants for
Chalky soils
Clay soils: plants for
Clay soils
Lime and liming
Soil types
Soil: cultivation
Get involved
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