Hosta 'Buckshaw Blue' (plantain lily 'Buckshaw Blue') — Clump-forming, mounded

Overview

Hosta 'Buckshaw Blue' is a clump-forming, mounded perennial in the genus Hosta, part of the Asparagaceae family, with deciduous; broad, ribbed or puckered, often variegated or glaucous foliage. Hosta 'Buckshaw Blue' grows best in partial to full shade; blue-leaved kinds hold their colour best out of sun, and tolerates fertile loam enriched with organic matter soils and neutral to slightly acid pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include shade gardens, borders, containers and ground cover under trees.

About

Hosta 'Buckshaw Blue' is a clump-forming, mounded perennial plantain lily with broad, ribbed leaves that create a neat ground cover in shade. The foliage is deciduous and frequently variegated or glaucous, and blue-leaved kinds hold their colour best out of direct sun. It prefers partial to full shade on a north- or east-facing, sheltered site in fertile loam enriched with organic matter kept reliably moist but not waterlogged. Flower scapes appear from June to August.

About the genus

Hosta is a genus of plants commonly known as hostas, plantain lilies and occasionally by the Japanese name gibōshi. Hostas are widely cultivated as shade-tolerant foliage plants. The genus is placed in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Agavoideae, and is native to northeast Asia.

Wikipedia contributors, "Hosta", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Hosta

In the garden

Hosta 'Buckshaw Blue' belongs to the genus Hosta in the Asparagaceae and forms a tidy, mound-forming clump of broad, ribbed or puckered leaves. The foliage is deciduous and often shows variegation or a glaucous (blue-green) cast; in summer the plant produces upright flower scapes from June to August that rise above the leaves. Sited where light is limited — partial to full shade — this cultivar performs best on a north or east aspect and in a sheltered position. Plant into fertile loam that has been enriched with organic matter and aim for soil that remains reliably moist but drains freely; avoid situations where water pools. It is fully hardy (H7) and also corresponds to USDA zones 3–9, so it tolerates cold UK winters when given the right siting and soil conditions. Blue-toned foliage will retain its colour more effectively out of strong sunlight. Use Hosta 'Buckshaw Blue' in shaded borders, as an under-planting beneath trees, in large containers or to form a ground cover in darker corners of the garden. The broad leaves create a low, mounded focus beneath taller shrubs, and expect the cultivar to send up flowering scapes in June to August that stand above the foliage.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Hosta

Sunlight: Partial to full shade; blue-leaved kinds hold their colour best out of sun
Soil type: Fertile loam enriched with organic matter
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acid
Soil moisture: Reliably moist but never waterlogged
Aspect: North or east facing
Exposure: Sheltered
UK hardiness: H7

Plant details

Hosta 'Buckshaw Blue' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Clump-forming, mounded
Foliage: Deciduous; broad, ribbed or puckered, often variegated or glaucous
Suggested uses: Shade gardens, borders, containers, ground cover under trees

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Hosta 'Buckshaw Blue'

Cultivation: Give a cool root run, generous leaf mould and consistent moisture — drought is what produces thin, scorched leaves. Growing in containers makes slug control far easier, and a top-dressing of grit or a copper band around the pot helps further.
Pruning: No pruning needed. Remove flower scapes once faded if seed is not wanted, and clear collapsed foliage in late autumn to take away slug shelter.
Propagation: Divide crowns in early spring as the shoots emerge, cutting between the buds with a sharp knife. Division is the only way to keep a named cultivar true.
Pest resistance: Highly attractive to slugs and snails, which is the one real limiting factor; vine weevil can be serious in containers.
Disease resistance: Generally healthy. Hosta virus X is the notable exception — affected plants should be destroyed rather than divided.

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Hosta 'Buckshaw Blue'?

Give a cool root run, generous leaf mould and consistent moisture — drought is what produces thin, scorched leaves. Growing in containers makes slug control far easier, and a top-dressing of grit or a copper band around the pot helps further.

Where is the best place to plant Hosta 'Buckshaw Blue'?

Hosta 'Buckshaw Blue' prefers partial to full shade; blue-leaved kinds hold their colour best out of sun. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Hosta 'Buckshaw Blue' need?

Hosta 'Buckshaw Blue' grows best in fertile loam enriched with organic matter soil. It prefers neutral to slightly acid soil. Aim for soil that stays reliably moist but never waterlogged.

How do I prune Hosta 'Buckshaw Blue'?

No pruning needed. Remove flower scapes once faded if seed is not wanted, and clear collapsed foliage in late autumn to take away slug shelter.

Is Hosta 'Buckshaw Blue' hardy in the UK?

Hosta 'Buckshaw Blue' has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.

How do I propagate Hosta 'Buckshaw Blue'?

Divide crowns in early spring as the shoots emerge, cutting between the buds with a sharp knife. Division is the only way to keep a named cultivar true.

More in the Hosta genus

Browse all Hosta →