Teds's Garden
Hosta
Common Name: Plantain lily
Genus: Hosta
Species: fortunei
Cultivar: var. albopicta
Skill Level: Beginner
Exposure: Partial shade, Shade
Hardiness: Hardy
Soil type: Well-drained/light, Clay/heavy, Moist
Height: 100cm
Spread: 100cm
Time to divide plants: August to March
One of the showiest hostas for early summer, it has soft yellow leaves with a narrow dark green edges and veins. Mauve flowers are borne on 75cm (30in) leafy stems in summer. Conserve soil-moisture as much as possible by adding plenty of organic matter to the soil before planting, as well as mulching in spring and autumn. For the lushest displays, feed with a balanced fertiliser between March and June. Do not feed after this period or you will encourage the sort of sappy growth that slugs adore! Take appropriate protective measures against slug and snail damage. The RHS has given it the Award of Garden Merit (AGM).
