Hosta 'WIDE BRIM'

Plantain lilies are reliable perennials from East Russia, Korea, China, and Japan. In the wild they grow in various locations – along rocky streambanks, 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.

Wide Brim is a variegated plantain lily variety with broadly heart-shaped leaves. They are pale green to dark blue-green in the centre and have wide, light yellow (in spring) to creamy white (in summer) brims at margins. In late summer appear thick, 40-50 cm tall stems with numerous, pale lavender violet, narrowly bell-shaped flowers with thin, magenta purple stripes inside. Grow it as a clump or divide young plants and plant them nearby to create a dense groundcover. Wide Brim plantain lily prefers more light as opposed to many other variegated cultivars.

Hostas need constantly moist, fertile soil that never dries out – keep it always mulched. They respond well to fertilizing and produce stronger foliage and denser tufts. Ideal location is partial shade, or full sun with some shade during the day. Full shade is fine but plants may not flower as freely or at all. Drought can result in weakened plants that will be prone to diseases, and combination of drought and full sun will damage most variegated cultivars. Beware of slugs and snails who come to feast on their leaves without an invitation. Being deciduous, remove all wilted foliage from previous year in early spring and make sure not too damage emerging bourgeons. Hardy to about -40 °C (USDA zone 3).

Last update 26-02-2022