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

Overview

Hosta 'Honeybells' 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 'Honeybells' 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 borders, shade gardens and container planting.

About

Hosta 'Honeybells' is a clump-forming, mounded perennial in the Asparagaceae, grown for its broad, ribbed or puckered leaves. The foliage is deciduous and is often variegated or glaucous, giving clear leaf-contrast in shady sites. It favours partial to full shade on a north- or east-facing, sheltered aspect and performs best in fertile loam enriched with organic matter kept reliably moist but never waterlogged. Flowers are produced from June to August and are fragrant.

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 'Honeybells' sits within the genus Hosta and the family Asparagaceae as a clump-forming, mounded perennial valued for foliage rather than height. The leaves are broad, ribbed or puckered and frequently show variegation or a glaucous bloom, so the plant reads as a textural ground cover beneath trees or along shaded paths. Place 'Honeybells' where it receives partial to full shade; north or east-facing positions suit it best and a sheltered site reduces leaf damage over winter. Use a fertile loam worked with well-rotted organic matter and aim to keep the rootzone reliably moist without allowing waterlogging. In UK terms H7 indicates the cultivar is fully hardy, so it will withstand winter conditions across the country; the USDA range 3–9 provides a wider climatic context for gardeners outside the UK. Practical uses include mixed shade borders, dedicated shade gardens and container planting where its mounded habit can be shown off. Expect fragrant flowers to rise above the foliage from June to August, adding a seasonal lift to the clump.

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 'Honeybells' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Clump-forming, mounded
Foliage: Deciduous; broad, ribbed or puckered, often variegated or glaucous
Suggested uses: Borders, shade gardens, container planting
Fragrance: Flower

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Hosta 'Honeybells'

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 'Honeybells'?

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 'Honeybells'?

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

What soil does Hosta 'Honeybells' need?

Hosta 'Honeybells' 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 'Honeybells'?

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 'Honeybells' hardy in the UK?

Hosta 'Honeybells' 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 'Honeybells'?

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 →