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

Overview

Hosta 'Snowden' 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 'Snowden' 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 shade gardens, borders, ground cover and container planting.

About

Hosta 'Snowden' is a clump-forming, mounded perennial plantain lily with broad, ribbed leaves that are often variegated or glaucous. It suits partial to full shade and performs best on a north- or east-facing aspect. Plant into fertile loam enriched with organic matter and keep the soil reliably moist but never waterlogged. Fully hardy (H7), it flowers in the UK 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 'Snowden' sits within the genus Hosta (family Asparagaceae) as a clump-forming, mounded perennial prized for its substantial, ribbed foliage. The leaves are described as often variegated or glaucous, and the cultivar retains the broad-leafed habit typical of plantain lilies. Flowering takes place in the UK between June and August. Give Hosta 'Snowden' an open, sheltered site in partial to full shade; north- or east-facing positions are best to protect leaf colour and prevent scorch. It prefers a fertile loam enriched with organic matter and a neutral to slightly acid pH. Keep substrate consistently moist but avoid waterlogging; the plant does not tolerate sitting in saturated soil. Note that blue-leaved varieties in the genus hold their colour better out of direct sun. Hardiness for Hosta 'Snowden' is H7 (fully hardy) and it corresponds approximately to USDA zones 3–9, so it withstands cold UK winters in the open. Use it where foliage matters most: shaded borders, under trees, as ground cover or in containers sited out of bright afternoon sun. Expect neat, mounded clumps of broad, puckered leaves that produce summer blooms from June to August.

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 'Snowden' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Clump-forming, mounded
Foliage: Deciduous; broad, ribbed or puckered, often variegated or glaucous
Suggested uses: Shade gardens, borders, ground cover, container planting

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Hosta 'Snowden'

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 'Snowden'?

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 'Snowden'?

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

What soil does Hosta 'Snowden' need?

Hosta 'Snowden' 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 'Snowden'?

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 'Snowden' hardy in the UK?

Hosta 'Snowden' 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 'Snowden'?

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 →