Hosta 'ABIQUA MOONBEAM'

Plantain lilies are reliable perennials from East Russia, Korea, China, and Japan. In the wild they grow in various locations – along rocky stream-banks, in alpine meadows, as well as in not too shaded woodland. They are cultivated for their bold foliage, often variegated, and bell-shaped flowers in summer.

Abiqua Moonbeam is a large-leaved plantain lily with broadly ovate to rounded leaves of dark green colour with blue-green hues, and lime-green to pale yellow margins of uneven width. In July it forms up to 60 cm tall stems with lavender violet, bell-shaped flowers. Grow it as a clump, or divide young plants and plant nearby in order to grow it into a dense groundcover.

Hostas need constantly moist, fertile soil that never dries out. Keep it mulched at all times. Ideal location is partial shade, or full sun with some shade during the day. Full shade is fine but plants will not flower as much or at all. Drought can result in weakened plants that will be prone to diseases. Beware of slugs and snails who come to feast on their leaves. Hardy to about -40°C (USDA zone 3).

Last update 31-01-2013