Hosta Lily - Liliaceae, Lily

 
 HEIGHT x WIDTH - 6-30" x 12-36" , varying with cultivar
GROWTH RATE - moderate to fast
FOLIAGE - basal, long petioles, ovate to elliptic to cordate, margins entire occasionally undulate, to 10" long and 2-6" wide, green or bluish glaucous or variously colored white or yellow
FLOWERS - white to purple, sometimes fragrant, trumpet-shaped, on 12-48" scapes (leafless stem), summer
HARDINESS - zones 3-8
SOIL - moist, well-drained
LIGHT - part to full shade, will tolerate sun in North if sufficient moisture
PESTS & PROBLEMS - slugs, hail, wind, leaf spots, crown rot, chewing insects
LANDSCAPE HABIT/USES - shade of tall trees, borders, woodland or natural gardens, good as either specimen or massed
NOTES - native to Japan and China; named for 19th century Austrian physician Nicolaus Thomas Host; common name from resemblance of leaves to common weed plantain; Amer. Hosta Soc. and chapters provide further information
OTHER CULTURE - low maintenance, rugged and strong grower, controls weeds; allow plenty of space when planting
HEIGHT - short (under 1'), medium (1-2'), tall (over 2')
BLOOM - early, mid or late summer