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Herbaceous Perennial

Hosta rectifolia

straight-leaved plantain lily

A herbaceous perennial of clump-forming, semi-upright habit. Leaves are ovate, shiny, mid-green with a wavy edge. Slightly bell-shaped, tubular flowers, of mid to bright-purple, are held on stems to 1m tall in late summer

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Clay

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Hosta are clump-forming herbaceous perennials with simple, ovate or lance-shaped leaves, often attractively coloured or variegated, and erect racemes of nodding, funnel or bell-shaped flowers in early summer
Name status: Correct
Plant range: Japan

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in part shade with shelter from cold, dry winds. See hosta cultivation

Propagation

Propagation is by division in early spring. Seed-raised offspring of species and particularly cultivars will be variable

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds
Ground cover
Underplanting of roses and shrubs

Pruning

Remove spent foliage as required and clear up dead foliage when it dies back at the end of the growing season

Pests

Slugs and snails are the main problem, but vine weevils, voles, mice and deer can also be problematic

Diseases

Problems with a virus are becoming more common

Get involved

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