Hosta fortunei 'Aurea' (Plantain Lily) — Clump-forming, mounded

Overview

Hosta fortunei 'Aurea' 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 fortunei 'Aurea' 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 garden, borders and ground cover.

About

Hosta fortunei 'Aurea' is a clump-forming, mounded perennial in the Asparagaceae family with broad, ribbed or puckered leaves that are often variegated or glaucous. The foliage is deciduous and emerges each season before the summer flowering period. It suits shaded spots and sheltered aspects where soil stays consistently moist. Flowering occurs from June to August.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Hosta sieboldiana

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 fortunei 'Aurea' belongs to the genus Hosta and produces compact, mound-forming clumps of broad, ribbed leaves; the foliage may show variegation or a glaucous (bluish-grey) bloom. Flowering takes place from June to August. The leaves die back in winter and a tidy late-winter clean-up reveals the fresh spring shoots. Plant in partial to full shade on a north- or east-facing, sheltered site. Use a fertile loam enriched with organic matter and aim for a neutral to slightly acid pH. Keep the soil reliably moist but ensure it never becomes waterlogged; mulching with well-rotted leaf mould or compost helps preserve even moisture. Note that blue-leaved forms retain their tone better when grown out of direct sun. Hardiness is H7, so the cultivar is fully hardy in UK gardens and also fits USDA zones 3–9. It works well as a component of a shade garden, in mixed borders or as a dense ground cover under trees and larger shrubs; group several plants for quicker coverage. Because the foliage is deciduous, remove ragged leaves in late winter to tidy the clump before fresh growth emerges.

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 fortunei 'Aurea' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Clump-forming, mounded
Foliage: Deciduous; broad, ribbed or puckered, often variegated or glaucous
Suggested uses: Shade garden, Borders, Ground cover

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Hosta fortunei 'Aurea'

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 fortunei 'Aurea'?

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 fortunei 'Aurea'?

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

What soil does Hosta fortunei 'Aurea' need?

Hosta fortunei 'Aurea' 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 fortunei 'Aurea'?

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 fortunei 'Aurea' hardy in the UK?

Hosta fortunei 'Aurea' 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 fortunei 'Aurea'?

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 →