Hosta longipes (Plantain Lily) — Clump-forming, mounded

Overview

Hosta longipes 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. It typically grows around 0.3 m tall. Hosta longipes 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 Korea and Japan.

About

Hosta longipes is a clump-forming, mounded perennial prized for its broad, ribbed or puckered leaves which are often variegated or glaucous. It reaches about 0.3 m and dies back to the ground in winter, producing fresh foliage in spring. Suited to partial to full shade, the blue-leaved forms keep their tone best out of direct sun. Flowering occurs from June to August.

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 longipes belongs to the Asparagaceae and is native to Korea and Japan. Plants form neat, low mounds to roughly 0.3 m with broad, ribbed or puckered leaves that may be variegated or carry a glaucous (blue-green) bloom. Clumps are deciduous and send up flowering scapes in summer. Plant in a north- or east-facing, sheltered spot where soil is a fertile loam enriched with organic matter and kept reliably moist but not waterlogged. Aim for neutral to slightly acid pH. Partial to full shade is ideal; blue-leaved selections retain their colour best when protected from strong sun. Hosta longipes is fully hardy in the UK (H7) and also suits USDA zones 3–9, but it dislikes waterlogged winter conditions so ensure good drainage. Give each plant enough room to form a 0.3 m mound when established and place it where its foliage can be seen at close range, such as the front of a shaded border or beneath trees on a north- or east-facing bank. Short flowering scapes appear between June and August and sit above the leaves without overwhelming the clump, so the foliage remains the main feature through the growing season.

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 longipes size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Clump-forming, mounded
Foliage: Deciduous; broad, ribbed or puckered, often variegated or glaucous
Height: 0.3 m
Native to: Korea, Japan

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Hosta longipes

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 longipes?

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 longipes?

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

What soil does Hosta longipes need?

Hosta longipes 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 longipes?

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.

How big does Hosta longipes grow?

Hosta longipes reaches a height of 0.3 m.

Is Hosta longipes hardy in the UK?

Hosta longipes 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 longipes?

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 →