Hosta sieboldiana 'Gold Circles' (Plantain Lily) — Clump-forming, mounded

Overview

Hosta sieboldiana 'Gold Circles' 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 1.0 m tall. Hosta sieboldiana 'Gold Circles' 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 sieboldiana 'Gold Circles' is a clump-forming, mounded perennial with broad, ribbed or puckered leaves that are often variegated or glaucous. It grows to about 1.0 m and is deciduous. Flowering occurs from June to August. Best placed in partial to full shade on north- or east-facing, sheltered sites.

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 sieboldiana 'Gold Circles' is a Japanese perennial in the Asparagaceae family, forming a neat, mounded clump of broad, ribbed foliage. The leaves are typically variegated or glaucous and the plant dies back in winter, returning the following season. It flowers June to August. Place this plant where it will receive partial to full shade; blue-leaved types hold their tone best out of direct sun. Choose a north- or east-facing aspect in a sheltered spot and plant into a fertile loam enriched with plenty of organic matter. Aim for neutral to slightly acid soil and keep the soil reliably moist but never waterlogged to prevent crown and root problems. Hardiness is H7 (fully hardy), and it sits within USDA zones 3–9. In a UK garden it suits shaded borders, understorey planting beneath trees and sheltered beds along the cool side of a house. The low, mounded habit makes it useful for softening paths or framing a shady bed; the broad leaves form the principal season-long feature while the summer flowers appear above the crown. Allow space for the clump to reach roughly 1.0 m and site it where its foliage will be protected from hot afternoon sun.

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 sieboldiana 'Gold Circles' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Clump-forming, mounded
Foliage: Deciduous; broad, ribbed or puckered, often variegated or glaucous
Height: 1.0 m
Native to: Japan

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Hosta sieboldiana 'Gold Circles'

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 sieboldiana 'Gold Circles'?

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 sieboldiana 'Gold Circles'?

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

What soil does Hosta sieboldiana 'Gold Circles' need?

Hosta sieboldiana 'Gold Circles' 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 sieboldiana 'Gold Circles'?

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 sieboldiana 'Gold Circles' grow?

Hosta sieboldiana 'Gold Circles' reaches a height of 1.0 m.

Is Hosta sieboldiana 'Gold Circles' hardy in the UK?

Hosta sieboldiana 'Gold Circles' 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 sieboldiana 'Gold Circles'?

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 →