Hosta fortunei var. hyacinthina (hyacinthine plantain lily) — Clump-forming, mounded

Overview

Hosta fortunei var. hyacinthina 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 var. hyacinthina 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. It is native to Japan.

About

Hosta fortunei var. hyacinthina is a clump-forming, mounded perennial in the Asparagaceae noted for broad, ribbed leaves that are often variegated or glaucous. It is deciduous and originates from Japan. Best grown in partial to full shade on a north- or east-facing site, it prefers fertile loam enriched with organic matter and soil that stays reliably moist but not waterlogged. It flowers 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 var. hyacinthina is a perennial hosta from Japan with a mounded, clump-forming habit and large, ribbed leaves that may show variegation or a glaucous bloom. As a member of the Asparagaceae it dies back in winter and re-emerges from crowns in spring. Flowering occurs in the UK between June and August. Plant it where roots remain cool and soil is rich and moisture-retentive; fertile loam with added compost suits it best. Give a north- or east-facing aspect and a sheltered position to maintain leaf quality, and avoid full sun where leaf scorch can occur — blue-leaved forms keep their tone more successfully out of strong light. Soil pH should be neutral to slightly acidic, and drainage must prevent waterlogging while holding steady moisture during the growing season. As a shade perennial it works well in mixed shady borders, beside paths or under the dappled canopy of trees where its broad leaves provide low structural presence. Pair with ferns and other shade lovers that prefer cool, damp soil. Apply a protective mulch of well-rotted compost or leaf mould in late autumn to help insulate the crowns and conserve moisture through summer.

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 var. hyacinthina size, habit and characteristics

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

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Hosta fortunei var. hyacinthina

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 var. hyacinthina?

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 var. hyacinthina?

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

What soil does Hosta fortunei var. hyacinthina need?

Hosta fortunei var. hyacinthina 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 var. hyacinthina?

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 var. hyacinthina hardy in the UK?

Hosta fortunei var. hyacinthina 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 var. hyacinthina?

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

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