Hosta ‘First Mate’ (Plantain Lily) is a tiny hosta cultivar with lovely variegated foliage that is vigorous. Long, narrow, deeply ruffled leaves with dark green borders and creamy-yellow centers make lovely, dense mounds. Lavender blooms that look like stars bloom in the middle to late summer on scapes that are 24 inches long (60 cm). Hosta ‘First Mate’ is an easy grower with a more upright habit that displays its showy leaves as it forms mounds up to 10 in. tall (25 cm) and 24 in. broad (60 cm). A sturdy, low-maintenance, and forgiving perennial that adds color to shaded areas.
What is the difference between a plantain lily and a hosta?
When I first saw a plantain lily (Hosta plantaginea), I thought it was a joke, as if someone had put fragrant lily stems among the foliage of a hosta plant. I never imagined a hosta could produce such large and fragrant flowers! The pure white trumpets are 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) long, with a strong orange-blossom aroma that will entice you from afar. It’s also the only hosta species with aromatic blossoms. All fragrant hosta cultivars (of which there are now a plethora) are either H. plantaginea mutations or hybrids with it as at least a distant parent.
On a plant that is 18 inches (45 cm) tall, H. plantaginea creates a dome of lustrous, medium green, shining, deeply grooved leaves that are about 2 feet (60 cm) in diameter. The bloom stem measures approximately 30 inches (75 cm) in height. It is the latest blooming hosta, blossoming in August or even early September in most areas, and the flowers endure for over a month. August lily (notice the word lily: I’m certainly not the only one who sees the likeness!). Its late-blooming habit has earned it the nickname August lily in several locations. Flowers bloom late in the day, near the end of the afternoon, and last all night. It’s well worth putting this hosta in a location you visit in the evening!
Although fairly hardy (USDA zone 3, AgCan zone 4), H. plantaginea is the most southern species of hosta, found in moderate conditions in China, and it has particular characteristics that are unusual from the ordinary hosta most gardeners are familiar with.
The most noticeable distinction is that it develops new leaves in flushes throughout the summer, rather than all at once in the spring as other hostas do. This means that any damaged or worn-out leaves will eventually be replaced with fresh new ones.
It also blooms earlier than other hostas in the spring, putting it at danger of frost damage in locations where the snow melts quickly. If you mulch its root region with 3 to 4 inches (7-10 cm) of good thick mulch in the spring, it will keep the earth colder, delaying its growth and protecting it from frost. If it does get frosted, however, it will quickly generate new leaves to disguise the damage, unlike other hostas, which have frost-damaged leaves that are visible all summer.
Finally, unlike other hostas, the plantain lily likes full sun or partial shade, but may take full shade.
Otherwise, H. plantaginea is a traditional hosta that can grow in virtually any soil as long as it is well-drained. It thrives in rich, chilly, somewhat moist soil, like do other hostas. If there is a drought, remember to water it, especially if it is in flower.
It grows best when divided in the spring or fall. In cooler areas, it rarely yields fertile seed, but where it does, you can grow new plants from seed.
Despite the fact that H. plantataginea is rarely afflicted by the bane of hosta farmers, slugs, deer adore it, even more than other hostas! This is not the hosta for you if you have deer.
The majority of H. plantaginea cultivars and hybrids make excellent garden plants, and several are quite popular. ‘Fragrant Bouquet,’ ‘Guacamole,’ ‘Invincible,’ and others fall within this category. H. plantaginea ‘Aphrodite’, on the other hand, is a cultivar I don’t suggest. On paper, this is a double-flowered mutant of the species with flowers that are just as enormous and fragrant as the original. Unfortunately, the added weight of the double flowers causes them to droop, making it difficult to notice that they are double. Worse worse, when it rains, the entire flower stalk frequently flops. This is a rare instance of a plant where the species fascinates gardeners more than the variety.
This is a hosta that is more commonly found in people’s gardens than at garden centers, so if you don’t have one, beg a friend or neighbor for one! If you can’t find a free division in a smaller nursery, you should be able to find one in a larger one. If not, it can be ordered through the mail.
Why is hosta called plantain lily?
Since the plant was brought to Europe from Asia in the 1780s, it has gone through various name and categorization modifications. It was first termed “hosta” by Austrian botanist Nicholas Thomas Host in the early 1800s, and by the late 1800s, it had been renamed “funkia” by botanist Heinrich Christian Funk, a name it still bears in several European countries. The plant’s name originates from its resemblance to the broadleaf plantain weed. In addition, the plant was once classified in the Liliaceae family, but since the 1980s, it has been classified in its own subfamily, Hostaceae.
Are there purple hostas?
Purple Sensation has rich purple flowers that are bordered and striped in pristine white, unlike classic hosta cultivars that have pale lavender or soft white flowers. Hostas are excellent ground coverings and attract helpful pollinators with their bell-shaped blossoms, making them the ideal companion for your spring-blooming bulbs.
Which hosta has the most fragrant flowers?
The growth of fragrant hostas has decreased significantly since the mid-1980s. H. ‘Old Faithful’ (Petryszyn 1991), H. ‘Austin Dickinson’ (Lachman 1992), H. ‘Guacamole’ (Solberg 1994), H. ‘Fried Bananas’ (Solberg 1994), H. ‘Hoosier Harmony’ (Zilis 1995), and H. plantaginea ‘Ming Treasure’ (Zilis 1995) are notable fragrant hostas from the (Zilis 1995). In the late summer, these are all fairly exceptional in terms of vitality and huge, fragrant flowers.
A double flowered variant of Hosta plantaginea was the most fragrant hosta that sparked the most interest. This immediately became a collector’s item after it was imported into the United States in the 1980s. While the plant looked beautiful when it was in bloom, it rarely had the ideal conditions for the flowers to open. Only a few gardeners south of Baltimore have ever witnessed the blossoms in full bloom. To thrive, the double flowered version appears to require wet soils, warm days, and cool nights. Every year, gardeners are teased as the buds enlarge, only to turn to mush a day before opening. At the very least, there are other excellent options for the same scent.
Even if you don’t care about garden scent in your hostas, you can rest assured that any hostas with fragrance genes will thrive in the hot, humid summers of the southeast.
What plant family is hosta?
Hosta (genus Hosta), often known as plantain lily, is a genus of roughly 40 hardy herbaceous perennials endemic to eastern Asia in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). Several species and cultivars are planted for their striking leaf, which comes in a variety of colors and patterns, including light to dark green, yellow, blue, and variegated.
How poisonous are hostas to dogs?
The Agavaceae family includes the hosta plant, which is a perennial herbaceous plant. There are about 40 different species of these hardy plants belonging to the same genus. Hostas, which are native to Asia’s eastern regions, may grow in a variety of environments.
Hostas are a low-to-the-ground plant with ribbed or striped leaves at the bottom and blooms at the very tip of the stalks. The flowers occur in clusters, and the stalks emerge from the leaves in colors of white or a blue-purple combination. Hostas are frequently utilized in landscaping or as houseplants in pots.
Hostas produce saponins that are poisonous to dogs and other small animals. The saponins in hosta poisoning cause vomiting and diarrhea, which are common symptoms. If you have dogs, you should avoid growing hostas on your land and keeping these potted plants indoors.
When dogs swallow the hosta plant, which contains saponins that are toxic to dogs and hazardous if ingested or come into touch with the skin, they develop hosta poisoning.
Is it safe to eat hostas?
To harvest, look for young, sensitive shoots, as older leaves are bitter. This is best done first thing in the morning, when the plant is at its most succulent. Sautéing the leaves, adding them to stir fries, or using them in wheat-free sandwich wraps are all options. If in doubt, treat them like you would any other leafy green. Hosta blossoms, surprisingly, are edible (if a little tasteless), and can be used as colorful garnishes.
Do hostas have a lifespan?
The good news is that this section of the website isn’t particularly lengthy. Hostas are low-maintenance plants that can live for 30 years or more if properly cared for. While it is well-known for growing in the shadow, the truth is more complicated. Dappled shade is the optimum situation. Planting hostas on the north side of the building, where no sunlight reaches them, will not bring out the best in them.
Hostas have a wide range of solar tolerance as well.
Some (which are noted in our catalog) are quite sun tolerant, particularly in colder locations. Others, especially those with a lot of variegation, are more sensitive and can burn if they get too much sun. The more sun your plants get, the more crucial appropriate watering becomes for them.
Can you eat plantain lilies?
Hosta fluctuans ‘Sagae’ (plantain lily) Young hosta leaves and shoots are a popular springtime treat in Japan. Harvest the leaves soon as they begin to unfold and serve lightly blanched with a spring salad. They have a somewhat salty asparagus flavor.