Hosta 'Elegans' Plantain Lily

A very large variety, Hosta 'Elegans' Plantain Lily is an herbaceous rhizomatous perennial offering 3 seasons of interest. Grown for its dramatic ornamental foliage, Hosta 'Elegans' has huge—13 x 10-inch—heart-shaped metallic blue-green leaves that emerge smoky blue in spring. As the leaves mature, they become thick, heavily corrugated, and gently cupped. Fragrant funnel-shaped white flowers with a violet tinge, borne on scapes up to 36 inches long, bloom early to midsummer, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. The flowers make nice additions to floral arrangements.

A Hosta sieboldiana variety, commonly called hosta or plantain lily, Hosta 'Elegans' has a symmetrical mounding habit and a slow growth rate. As with all fragrant hostas, the species Hosta plantaginea is in its lineage. Hosta is a highly versatile plant, shown to best effect when grouped or massed in beds and borders. But it also makes a lovely specimen or container plant as well as nice edging.

Cold hardy to Zone 4, easy to grow, low maintenance, and very adaptable, hosta grows best in partly shady to shady locations with rich, moist, well-draining soil having an acidic to neutral pH, but it tolerates a wide range of soils. Some morning or dappled sun may be beneficial, especially for leaf color; however, too much sun could be deadly. Plants should not be allowed to dry out. Plant Hosta 'Elegans' bulbs 3 to 4 feet apart and 1.5 to 2 inches deep. Hosta benefits from a winter mulch and an early spring application of liquid fertilizer (20-10-20 with nitrogen). Hosta 'Elegans' resists slug damage.