Hosta fortunei 'Yellow Edge' of gardens (Plantain Lily) — Clump-forming, mounded

Overview

Hosta fortunei 'Yellow Edge' of gardens 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 'Yellow Edge' of gardens 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 'Yellow Edge' of gardens is a clump-forming, mounded perennial in the Asparagaceae grown for its broad, ribbed leaves that are often variegated or glaucous. The foliage is deciduous and the plant produces flower stalks in summer. Position it in partial to full shade on fertile loam kept reliably moist but not waterlogged. It is fully hardy in the UK (H7).

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 'Yellow Edge' of gardens is a clump-forming, mounded perennial in the Asparagaceae with broad, ribbed or puckered leaves that are often variegated or glaucous. The foliage dies back in winter and the plant sends up flowering stalks between June and August. USDA hardiness is 3–9 and the UK rating H7 denotes a fully hardy plant. Plant it in a north- or east-facing spot where light is limited and exposure is sheltered; blue-leaved forms in the genus retain their tone best out of strong sun. Give a fertile loam enriched with organic matter, aim for neutral to slightly acid pH and keep the soil reliably moist but never waterlogged. Avoid exposed, dry sites and heavy, waterlogged ground. Within a garden, use Hosta fortunei 'Yellow Edge' of gardens where a mounded, deciduous clump is appropriate: shaded borders, beds with morning light or beside paths where leaf texture is visible. Expect broad, ribbed leaves through the growing season and flower spikes in June to August, after which the foliage will gradually die back for winter.

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 'Yellow Edge' of gardens 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 'Yellow Edge' of gardens

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 'Yellow Edge' of gardens?

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 'Yellow Edge' of gardens?

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

What soil does Hosta fortunei 'Yellow Edge' of gardens need?

Hosta fortunei 'Yellow Edge' of gardens 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 'Yellow Edge' of gardens?

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 'Yellow Edge' of gardens hardy in the UK?

Hosta fortunei 'Yellow Edge' of gardens 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 'Yellow Edge' of gardens?

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 →