Hosta Species
Hosta plantaginea
Family: | Liliaceae (lil-ee-AY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Hosta (HOSS-tuh) (Info) |
Species: | plantaginea (plan-tuh-JIN-ee-uh) (Info) |
Plant Size (check one):
Large (leaf 81-144 square inches; plant 18”-28” tall)
Spacing:
36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
Sun Exposure:
Light Shade
Partial to Full Shade
Full Shade
Other details:
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Seed Collecting:
Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Growing Habit:
Mound-like
Growth Rate:
Medium
Leaf Shape:
Ovate
Broadly Ovate
Leaf Appearance:
Wavy
Degree to which the appearance is present:
Lightly
Leaf Texture (top):
Slightly Shiny
Leaf Texture (bottom):
Slightly Shiny
Leaf Substance:
3 (Average)
Leaf Color:
Light Green
Color of Leaf Margin:
No margin
Number of Vein Pairs:
9 to 11
Appearance of Margin:
Slightly Rippled
Margin Width:
3" - 3 1/2"
Bloom Time:
Mid
Flower Shape:
Trumpet
Flower Fragrance:
Very Fragrant
Does it set seed?:
Yes; seed is viable
Bloom Color:
Pure White
Foliage Color:
Bloom Characteristics:
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Flowers are fragrant
Water Requirements:
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Where to Grow:
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Mentone, Alabama
Mobile, Alabama
Marshall, Arkansas
San Francisco, California
Norwich, Connecticut
Atlanta, Georgia
Braselton, Georgia
Dacula, Georgia
Stone Mountain, Georgia
Carbondale, Illinois
Naperville, Illinois
Nilwood, Illinois
Washington, Illinois
Waukegan, Illinois
Indianapolis, Indiana
Iowa City, Iowa
South China, Maine
Pikesville, Maryland
Roslindale, Massachusetts
Wakefield, Massachusetts
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Plainwell, Michigan
Royal Oak, Michigan
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota(2 reports)
Hollister, Missouri
Piedmont, Missouri
Milford, Nebraska
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Croton On Hudson, New York
Ithaca, New York
West Chazy, New York
Elizabeth City, North Carolina
Pittsboro, North Carolina
Medora, North Dakota
Bucyrus, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Franklin, Ohio
Van Wert, Ohio
Williamsburg, Ohio
Coopersburg, Pennsylvania
Friedensburg, Pennsylvania
Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania
East Greenwich, Rhode Island
Pickens, South Carolina
Leesburg, Virginia
Newport News, Virginia
Portsmouth, Virginia
Kalama, Washington
Vancouver, Washington
Osseo, Wisconsin
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Positive | On Feb 4, 2014, coriaceous from ROSLINDALE, MA wrote: This is one of my favorite hostas and one of the best fragrant garden plants. It blooms for over a month, August-September, which accounts for its common name, August lily. The fragrance is strong and sweet and carries well on the air, with no heaviness to the scent. |
Positive | On Aug 12, 2009, Kim_M from Hamburg, PA (Zone 6b) wrote: Most wonderful large fragrant flowers. My favorite Hosta |
Positive | On Jan 23, 2007, ademink from Indianapolis, IN wrote: I love this hosta and just harvested seeds for the first time this Fall. I planted them and they germinated and are growing in just 7 short days! I'm very excited to see what seedlings are produced. This is a hosta that everyone should own. I have them in a spot that has shade a good part of the day until late afternoon. These tough guys weather that western afternoon sun like a champ! Fragrant and yes, they DO attract hummingbirds and butterflies! |
Positive | On May 13, 2006, Gabrielle from (Zone 5a) wrote: This is one of my favorite hostas just for how fragrant the flowers are. Early mornings and evenings are sweetly scented by the large white blooms. A very fast grower, too. For me the leaves have been easily fried by the sun. Blooms August-September in my garden. |
Positive | On Jan 22, 2006, joegee from Bucyrus, OH (Zone 6a) wrote: This is one of my favorite flowers. Planted on the north side of my house, these hostas fill late summer evenings with an incredibly rich, sweet (but not cloying to my nose) perfume that can be smelled yards away. Their attractive, heart shaped, knee high lime-yellow/green foliage and the three to four foot high spikes of pure white flowers draw the eye like a beacon into the summer late-evening shadows. The show of nocturnal flowers lasts most of the month of August. |
Positive | On Mar 2, 2005, northgrass from West Chazy, NY (Zone 4b) wrote: This hosta does not really stand out among the other hostas with their colorful leaves except when it blooms in late summer. The exceptionly large pure white lily-like flowers have such a wonderful fragrance. Everyone should have hosta plantaginea if only for experiencing its sweet smell on a warm August evening. |
Neutral | On Jan 11, 2005, lmelling from Ithaca, NY (Zone 5b) wrote: Hosta plantaginea is noted as a large mound of shiny green foliage; large fragrant, nocturnal, white flowers in August. Mound size runs 25" high by 57" wide. |
Positive | On Oct 21, 2003, Torquay from Lansing, MI (Zone 6a) wrote: I love these hostas. Well established when I bought my home, they grow in full sunlight. If they don't get extra water the leaves turn yellow. Flower stalks are about 4' tall and hummers flock to the masses of white blooms. They are beauties! |
Positive | On Jun 30, 2003, mahans30 from Kalamazoo, MI wrote: I have successfully grown this plant in full-sun to full shade. Performs best with some afternoon shade. |
Positive | On May 6, 2002, Greenwood from Bonifay, FL (Zone 8a) wrote: A easy to raise hosta that can be mast fragrant and the only nite bloomer with white trumpet-shaped flowers. |