Hosta lancifolia (08/09/2012, Kew Garden, London)
Position: Full sun to full shade
Flowering period: Late summer
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 30cm
Eventual Spread: 80cm
Hardiness: 3b – 8b
Family: Asparagaceae
Sub Family: Agavoideae
Hosta lancifolia is a mound forming, herbaceous perennial. Its waxy, medium green leaves are lance shaped with entire margins, deeply veined, up to 25cm long and 10cm broad. Its lilac/ pale purple flowers are funnel shaped and appear on erect spikes which are up to 50cm tall. Its roots are stolons.
Hosta lancifolia Flower (08/09/2012, Kew Garden, London)
Hosta lancifolia, commonly known as the Narrow Leaved Hosta, Plantain Lilly or Giboshi, is native to north east Asia.
The etymological root of the binomial name Hosta is named after the Austrian botanist Nicolaus Thomas Host (1771 to 1834).Lancifolia is derived from the Latin lancea meaning ‘lance’ and folium meaning leaf.
The landscape architect may find Hosta lancifolia useful as a low ground cover plant with architectural leaves, particularly in shady locations. Once established this plant is drought tolerant in shady locations. If grown in a sunny location the soil should not be allowed to dry out. Snails may be a problem in damp locations.
Ecologically, Hosta lancifolia is attractive to nectar loving birds.
Hosta lancifolia Leaf (08/09/2012, Kew Garden, London)
The Royal Horticultural Society has given Hosta lancifolia their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
Hosta lancifolia prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. It will tolerate damp soils.
Hosta lancifolia requires little maintenance. Large clumps may be divided in spring as its leaves first appear.