|
Hosta
|
Scientific Name |
Hosta sp. |
Common Name |
Hosta,
Plantain Lily |
| Type of Plant |
Flowering
Ground
Cover |
Native |
China,
Korea, Japan, Eastern Russia |
Basic Information |
Hosta is
used as a ground cover on the
landscape. Hosta is a clump-forming plant that has a green or
variegated leaf
color. Hostas are known best for their colorful foliage. Hosta grows
in zones 3 - 9. The Hosta is a
member of the Liliaceae (Lily)
family. |
| Plant
Information |
|
| -
Evergreen or Deciduous |
Deciduous |
| - Life
Cycle |
Perennial |
| - Plant
Shape |
Basal,
Clump-forming |
| - Plant
Height |
1' - 3' |
| - Plant
Width |
1' - 3',
Spreading |
| - Texture |
Medium -
Course |
| - Light
Exposure |
Shade to
Part Shade |
| - Growth
Rate |
Medium |
| -
Landscape Use |
Ground
Cover, Border, Mass Plantings, Rock Gardens, Water Gardens, Containers,
Specimen |
| Leaf Information | |
| - Length |
6" - 36" |
| - Width |
2" - 20" |
| - Color |
Green,
Green/White, Green/Cream, Bluish-Green |
| -
Arrangement |
Basal |
| - Composition | Simple |
| - Margin |
Entire |
| - Veins |
Pinnate |
| Flower
Information |
|
| - Time
of Flowering |
Summer |
| - Color |
White,
Lavender |
| - Size
(Diameter) |
1" - 3" |
| Fruit
Information |
|
| - Time
of Fruiting |
Fall |
| - Fruit
Description |
Brown
Pod |
Propagation |
Hosta is
best propagated through division. Hosta are also be
propagated
through seed. Many Hostas are propagated by tissue culture for
commercial growers. |
Growth & Care |
Hosta
prefer moist, well-drained soils. Hostas are very drought-tolerant. In
northern climates, Hostas prefer full sun in the mornings. |
| Potential
Problems |
Hostas
are susceptible to snails, slugs, and nematodes. Hostas are also a
favorite food for deer and will attract them to the garden. |
Interesting Facts |
Hostas
are well known for their foliage, but they also have attractive blooms
in the summer. The Hosta is a very hardy plant on the landscape and can
last for many years with proper thinning and care. |
 |
 |
 |
| Hosta Crown, Varigated
Green/White Courtesy: Boston College |
Hosta planted along a sidewalk
as a border Courtesy: Veddw Gardens, United Kingdom |
Hosta Flower Courtesy: University of Wisconsin |
| Return
to Plant ID Main List Produced by the South Granville FFA Chapter |
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