Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit
Hosta 'Elegans' Plantain Lily is a majestic emblem of horticultural beauty, honored with the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit for its outstanding qualities. This herbaceous, rhizomatous perennial is celebrated for its grand ornamental foliage, offering three seasons of visual splendor and utility. The plant's magnificent heart-shaped leaves unfurl in a metallic blue-green hue in the spring, gradually transitioning to a rich, deep green as they mature. Each leaf, measuring an impressive 13 x 10 inches, is thick, heavily corrugated, and subtly cupped, bringing a pleasing diversity of textures to garden spaces.
Originating from Japan, Hosta 'Elegans' is a variety of Hosta sieboldiana, commonly known as plantain lily. It features a symmetrical mounding habit and exhibits a slow yet steadfast growth, maturing into a luxurious perennial that fills even the toughest garden spots and corners with unmatched texture and color. A direct descendant of the fragrant Hosta plantaginea, 'Elegans' inherits a mild fragrance that adorns its funnel-shaped white flowers, tinged with violet, which bloom atop tall stems reaching up to 36 inches. These highly fragrant blooms attract butterflies and hummingbirds throughout early to midsummer, enhancing your garden's biodiversity.
Hosta 'Elegans' excels in both visual appeal and resilience, making it a versatile and practical addition to any garden. Hardy and easy to grow, this shade-tolerant plant thrives in partially sunny to fully shaded locations. It prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil with an acidic to neutral pH, showcasing its adaptability to a wide range of soil conditions. While it benefits from some morning or dappled sun, especially to enhance its leaf color, it requires protection from the harshness of full sunlight. Plant Hosta 'Elegans' bulbs 3 to 4 feet apart and 1.5 to 2 inches deep for optimal growth.
In addition to its aesthetic qualities, Hosta 'Elegans' proves its worth as a ground cover, border plant, or stately container specimen. With a spread of 20 to 36 inches, it effortlessly fills spaces with its harmonious blend of rich green heart-shaped leaves and mildly fragrant blooms. Moreover, this variety is resistant to slug damage, making it a low-maintenance yet rewarding choice for gardeners. A winter mulch and early spring liquid fertilizer application further enhance its performance, ensuring that 'Elegans' remains a standout in your garden for years to come.
