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

Overview

Hosta fortunei 'Marginato Alba' 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 'Marginato Alba' 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.

About

Hosta fortunei 'Marginato Alba' is a clump-forming, mounded perennial in the Asparagaceae, grown for its broad, ribbed or puckered leaves that are often variegated. It is deciduous and flowers in summer from June to August. Plant in a north- or east-facing, sheltered spot where soil remains reliably moist but not waterlogged. It is fully hardy (H7) and also suits USDA zones 3–9.

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 'Marginato Alba' is a garden cultivar of Hosta valued for its broad, textured leaves that are commonly variegated. As a clump-forming, mounded perennial in the Asparagaceae it dies back in winter and reappears each spring; flowers appear in the main summer months, June to August. Grow it where light is limited: partial to full shade with a north or east aspect is ideal and the plant benefits from shelter. Plant into a fertile loam enriched with plenty of organic matter, keep the soil neutral to slightly acid and consistently moist but avoid waterlogging. It is rated H7 (fully hardy) for UK conditions and corresponds to USDA zones 3–9, so it tolerates cold winters where the site is not exposed. Use Hosta fortunei 'Marginato Alba' in shaded borders, alongside spring bulbs that die back early, or beneath larger shrubs where roots will not overly dry the soil. Because the foliage carries the main seasonal interest, position it where leaves can be seen close to eye level rather than at the back of a border; expect the clump to die back over winter and produce fresh shoots the following spring.

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 'Marginato Alba' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Clump-forming, mounded
Foliage: Deciduous; broad, ribbed or puckered, often variegated or glaucous

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Hosta fortunei 'Marginato Alba'

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 'Marginato Alba'?

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 'Marginato Alba'?

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

What soil does Hosta fortunei 'Marginato Alba' need?

Hosta fortunei 'Marginato Alba' 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 'Marginato Alba'?

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 'Marginato Alba' hardy in the UK?

Hosta fortunei 'Marginato Alba' 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 'Marginato Alba'?

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 →