Hosta (Hosta plantaginea) in the Hostas Database

General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit:	Herb/Forb
Life cycle:	Perennial
Sun Requirements:	Partial or Dappled Shade
Minimum cold hardiness:	Zone 3 -40 °C (-40 °F) to -37.2 °C (-35)
Maximum recommended zone:	Zone 9b
Plant Height:	18-28 in.tall-Large (leaf 81-144 sq.in.)
Plant Spread:	40 inches wide
Leaves:	Unusual foliage color Other: Hosta plantaginea is the most heat tolerant species from China. Waxy surface and heavy substance.
Flowers:	Fragrant Other: Requires extended warm summers to flower well and set seed.
Flower Color:	White
Flower Time:	Summer Late summer or early fall Other: H. plantagenia opens its flowers in the early evening, so moths or crickets, rather than bees, aid in pollination.
Underground structures:	Rhizome
Uses:	Erosion control Groundcover Cut Flower
Wildlife Attractant:	Bees Birds Butterflies Hummingbirds
Propagation: Seeds:	Other info: Seed is viable.
Propagation: Other methods:	Division
Containers:	Suitable in 3 gallon or larger
Parentage:	Chinese species

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Comments:

Posted by Ispahan (Chicago - Zone 6a) on Nov 6, 2011 12:56 PM concerning plant:

So fragrant, so easy to grow, so attractive... Is there really a better hosta to grow than this one? Its enormous nocturnal flowers are stunning, as is the delicious perfume that wafts out into the warm, humid late summer night air. My favorite of all hostas.

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Posted by Claudia (Greencastle IN - Zone 5b) on Jan 27, 2012 8:03 PM concerning plant:

I love this hosta. It is a very fast grower. The hummingbirds enjoy the flowers. My one complaint about it is that it has thin leaves that tear easily in hail storms, which we have often during the summer.

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Posted by pirl (Southold, Long Island, NY - Zone 7a) on Aug 24, 2014 4:50 PM concerning plant:

When we moved here, there were very few plants, and only a peony and hosta plantaginea were of any real value. I split the two plants into more than 150! You can imagine the size of the original clumps.

It makes its spring debut at the same time the asparagus do -- early April. It's a lovely soft green color, but it's the blossoms in August that had it being called "August Lily" by many. It is the mother of all fragrant hostas, and the aroma drifting into the living room during the early August evenings earned it the spot it enjoys.

The stalks can be used in flower arrangements and they steal the scene...and the fragrance award.

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Hostas Hosta (Hosta plantaginea)