Hosta

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling

HOS-tah

Description

Hostas are herbaceous perennials in the Asparagaceae (asparagus) family, with a clumping habit and many cultivars and varieties. They are native to Asia and grow 1.5 to 2.5 feet tall. The genus name honors Nicolaus Thomas Host, a 19th century Austrian physician and botanist.

Plant hostas in partial to deep shade and in moist soil rich in organic matter. Blue-leaved forms require deep shade, while green-leaved types will accept partial shade. Divide hostas in the early spring as leaves emerge from the ground.

Most species of hosta are grown for their large, striking foliage rather than their flowers. Plant them in mass in perennial beds or naturalized areas, as a border or edging, or in pond, rock, or shade gardens. They are slightly salt tolerant.

Quick ID Hints:

Acaulescent herb with parallel-veined leaves
Petioles sheathing, sulcate, subpeltate
Inflorescence scapose raceme, leafy-bracteated
Corollas tubular abruptly bell-shaped apically

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for snails, slugs, and nematodes among the leaves. Deer enjoy the foliage. Leaf spot and crown rot rarely occur. Plants may become infected with the Hosta Virus X, tobacco rattle virus, or tomato ringspot virus. If any of these are detected, the plant should be removed and destroyed. Voles may destroy the plant by eating the roots. Hail storms may damage exposed leaves.

Additional Hosta Images at Juniper Level Botanic Garden including Hosta Blue Mouse Ears Sports

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Annuals, Perennials, Vines, and Groundcovers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.

Profile Video:

See this plant in the following landscapes:

Collector’s Garden Fire Hydrant Garden Floating Garden Courtyard Garden Shade Garden Shaded Slope Birdbath Nook Border Garden- Pathway Asian Garden- Pathway Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Front Shade Garden Coastal Entryway Garden Juniper Level Botanic Gardens: Part Sun-Part Shade Gardens Path Garden Four-Season Garden Cottage Style Foundation Planting Fairy Garden Shady Garden in Cabarrus County

Cultivars / Varieties:

'Blazing Saddles'
'Blue Mammoth'

'Blue Mouse Ears'

miniature version (up to 1 foot)

'Blue Pillow'
Longitudinal rows of 'Pillow' like indentations in the leaves
'Blue Regal'
'Bressingham Blue'
'Cathedral Windows'
'Cowlick'
'Empress Wu'
'Fire Island'
'Francee'
'Guacamole'

'Halcyon'

broad leaved with blueish foliage

'Kiwi Full Monty'
'Marbled White'
Variegated pinnate leaves w/ lengthwise ridges
"Patriot"
'Red Dragon'
Reddish stems
'Ripple Effect'
wavy leaves
'School Mouse'
'Sun and Substance'
Thick-textured, glossy heart shaped yellow leaves. Large size up to 60” wide. Fragrant white flowers
'Super Nova'
'Twist of Lime'
'Wrinkle in Time'

'Blazing Saddles', 'Blue Mammoth', 'Blue Mouse Ears', 'Blue Pillow', 'Blue Regal', 'Bressingham Blue', 'Cathedral Windows', 'Cowlick', 'Empress Wu', 'Fire Island', 'Francee', 'Guacamole', 'Halcyon', 'Kiwi Full Monty', 'Marbled White', "Patriot", 'Red Dragon', 'Ripple Effect', 'School Mouse', 'Sun and Substance', 'Super Nova', 'Twist of Lime', 'Wrinkle in Time'

Tags:

#deciduous #fragrant flowers #lilac #white flowers #purple flowers #salt tolerant #shade garden #low maintenance #apvg #mass planting #lilac flowers #ncemgva2018 #cpp #edging #summer flowers #deer browsing plant #rock garden #border planting #fantz #partial shade tolerant #HS302 #apvg-p #heavy shade tolerant #perennial #vole damage #landscape plant sleuths course

Branching Out Form - Aug. 12 - Wake Co., NC Cathy DeWitt CC BY 4.0

Hosta — Full Form (Warren County,NC)-Early Summer Cathy Dewitt CC BY 4.0

Form in Shade/Sun - Fall - Wake Co., NC Cathy DeWitt CC BY 4.0

Form - Fall - Wake Co., NC Cathy DeWitt CC BY 4.0

Flowers - Aug. 12 - Wake Co., NC Cathy DeWitt CC BY 4.0

flower bud, late spring, Warren County, NC Cathy Dewitt CC BY 4.0

Seed pods - September - Wake Co., NC Cathy DeWitt CC BY 4.0

Hosta 'Ripple Effect' Kathleen Moore CC BY 2.0

Hosta 'Super Nova' Kathleen Moore CC BY 2.0

Hosta 'Twist of Lime' Kathleen Moore CC BY 2.0

'Blue Mouse Ears' habit, Warren County, NC Cathy Dewitt CC BY 4.0

'Bressingham Blue', seed pods, Durham County, NC Carol Tierney CC BY 4.0

'Bressingham Blue', flowers, spring, Durham County, NC Carol Tierney CC BY 4.0

'Bressingham Blue' flower bud, spring, Durham County, NC Carol Tierney CC BY 4.0

"Bressingham Blue' form, spring, Durham County, NC Carol Tierney CC BY 4.0

'Guacamole' bud, early summer, Durham County, NC Carol Tierney CC BY 4.0

'Guacamole' form and leaves, spring, Durham County, NC Carol Tierney CC BY 4.0

'Kiwi Full Monty' emerging plant, spring, Durham County, NC Carol Tierney CC BY 4.0

'Kiwi Full Monty' bud, early summer, Durham County, NC Carol Tierney CC BY 4.0

'Empress Wu' young plant, spring, Warren County, NC Cathy Dewitt CC BY 4.0

'Empress Wu' form and leaves, spring, Warren County, NC Cathy Dewitt CC BY 4.0

'Empress Wu' from underside, spring, Warren County, NC Cathy Dewitt CC BY 4.0

'Empress Wu' mid-summer, Warren County, NC Cathy Dewitt CC BY 4.0

'Cowlick' habit, Wake County, NC Cathy Dewitt CC BY 4.0

'Carolina Sunshine', bud, early summer, Durham County, NC Carol Tierney CC BY 4.0

'Carolina Sunshine', flowers, early summer, Durham County, NC Carol Tierney CC BY 4.0

'Carolina Sunshine', form, early summer, Durham County, NC Carol Tierney CC BY 4.0

'Patriot" (with Ajuga reptans), spring, Iredell County, NC Eva Munday CC BY-NC 4.0

Leaves 'Cathedral Windows' Cathy Dewitt CC BY 4.0

'Cathedral Windows' - Form -April 22- Wake Co., NC Cathy DeWitt CC BY 4.0

'Marbled White' - Form - April 22 - Wake Co., NC Cathy DeWitt CC BY 4.0

'Sun & Substance' - Form - April 22 - Wake Co., NC Cathy DeWitt CC BY 4.0

'Blue Pillow' Form - April - Wake Co., NC Cathy DeWitt CC BY 4.0

'Red Dragon - Form - March - Wake Co., NC Cathy DeWitt CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

'Blazing Saddles' leaves (Buncombe Co. NC, early fall) Randy Harter CC BY 4.0