Hosta sieboldiana (Plantain Lily)

Scientific Name

Hosta sieboldiana (Hook.) Engl.

Common Names

Plantain Lily

Synonyms

Funkia sieboldiana (basionym), Funkia sieboldii, Funkia umbellata, Hosta mira, Niobe sieboldiana, Saussurea sieboldiana

Scientific Classification

Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Agavoideae
Genus: Hosta

Flower

Color: White
Bloom Time: Summer

Description

Hosta sieboldiana is a large, clump-forming, herbaceous perennial. Foliage is broad, ovate and blue-green with prominent veining and a wavy edge. The flowers are white to pale purple , bell-shaped, held on stems up to 32 inches (80 cm) tall and appear during summer.

Hardiness

USDA hardiness zone 3a to 8b: from −40 °F (−40 °C) to 20 °F (−6.7 °C).

How to Grow and Care

The color of a Hosta’s leaves can help determine how much light it prefers. Blue and deep green varieties like deeper shade, while variegated (striped or splotched bicolor leaves) and yellowish varieties require some morning sun. Harsh afternoon sun can scorch Hosta leaves.

Hostas prefer an inch (2.5 cm) of water a week, whether it’s from rainfall or irrigation. If you water by hand, do so early in the day. Burnt leaf tips and drooping leaves are signals of inadequate water.

Rich, slightly acidic, well-draining soil produces the best Hostas. Add organic matter such as compost, manure, leaf mold or peat moss when preparing the planting hole. Mix well and do not let manure contact the roots directly, because this can cause discoloration of the leaves.

Apply a 10-10-10 or 5-10-5 all-purpose fertilizer according to package directions if the soil is poor. Otherwise, topdress with well-rotted manure or compost.

Plant Hostas in spring or fall. Bury the crown slightly so it will stay moist, unless the soil is very heavy, in which case leave the crown at ground level. Leave a depression around the plant so that at first waterings the water soaks directly toward the root… – See more at: How to Grow and Care for Hostas

Origin

Native to Japan.

Subspecies, Varieties, Forms, Cultivars and Hybrids

• Hosta sieboldiana var. montana

Links

• Back to genus Hosta
• Plantopedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone or Origin

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