Hosta Hosta

Other Common Name(s):

Plantain Lily

Other plants called Hosta:

Hosta plantaginea

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. Use them mass planted 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.

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:

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

Cultivars / Varieties:

'Blue Mammoth'

'Blue Mouse Ears'

miniature version (up to 1 foot)

'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"
'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'

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

Tags:

#deciduous #fragrant flowers #lilac #perennials #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 #vole damage

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

Hosta — 'Francee' Form Jim Robbins CC BY-NC-ND 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' 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

'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

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

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

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

'Bressingham Blue', seed pods, Durham County, NC Carol Tierney 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

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

'Kiwi Full Monty' bud, 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

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

Flowers - Aug. 12 - Wake Co., NC 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

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

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