Hosta 'Thomas Hogg' (Plantain Lily) — Clump-forming, mounded

Overview

Hosta 'Thomas Hogg' 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 'Thomas Hogg' 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

A clump-forming, mounded perennial in the Asparagaceae, Hosta 'Thomas Hogg' is grown for its broad, ribbed or puckered leaves that are often variegated or glaucous. It dies back in winter and produces upright flowering scapes in summer. Best grown in partial to full shade on fertile loam kept reliably moist but not waterlogged. Flowers appear 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 'Thomas Hogg' belongs to the genus Hosta within the family Asparagaceae and forms neat, mounded clumps of broad, ribbed foliage that is frequently variegated or glaucous. The leaves are deciduous and the plant sends up upright scapes carrying flowers from June to August. As a perennial it dies back after the season and re-emerges in spring. Site it in partial to full shade, ideally on a north or east-facing aspect where light is gentler; blue-leaved types keep their tone better out of direct sun. Planting in a fertile loam enriched with plenty of compost or well-rotted organic matter will support steady leaf growth. Keep the rootzone reliably moist but avoid waterlogging, and choose a sheltered spot to protect tender new shoots. Hardiness is H7 (fully hardy), with a broadly equivalent USDA range of zones 3–9, so it tolerates cold winters in the UK. Use Hosta 'Thomas Hogg' in shaded borders, under trees, as ground cover between larger perennials, or in containers where soil moisture can be controlled. Remove spent flower stems after the June–August display to keep the clump tidy and to encourage fresh basal growth.

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 'Thomas Hogg' 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 'Thomas Hogg'

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 'Thomas Hogg'?

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 'Thomas Hogg'?

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

What soil does Hosta 'Thomas Hogg' need?

Hosta 'Thomas Hogg' 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 'Thomas Hogg'?

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 'Thomas Hogg' hardy in the UK?

Hosta 'Thomas Hogg' 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 'Thomas Hogg'?

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 →