Hosta Sizzle

Hosta 'Sizzle' is a very bright and small cultivar with narrow variegated leaves. It is a pretty plant that brightens up any shady corner. It forms a small clump of particularly narrow and long leaves, yellow and marginated with green. Its summer flowering, with spikes adorned with mauve bells, adds to its charm. Its small size makes it suitable for borders, shady rockeries, and pots.

This Hosta, or Funkia 'Sizzle' is a completely hardy perennial plant that belongs to the lily family or hostaceae. This variety is a hybrid of Hostas Atom Smasher and Hi Ho Silver, and it is as prolific as its parents. The plant offers a very low spreading habit from spring onwards. Mature in 5 years, it reaches a height of 20 to 30cm (8 to 12in) with a spread of 50 cm (20in), under good growing conditions. Its leaves measure 15 to 20cm (6 to 8in) long and 3cm (1in) wide. They are very narrow and lanceolate in shape with pronounced undulations along the lamina. Each leaf has a yellow margin with a vibrant green, which enhances the rippling effect. Flowering takes place in July-August, in the form of elongated lavender-coloured bells on upright stems. This perennial spreads by stolons, similar to strawberries. It is a long-lived plant.

Plant this Hosta Sizzle along the edge of a flower bed, at the edge of a woodland, in a small shady rockery, or in a pot. It pairs well with partial shade, with small ferns, Brunneras, Corydalis 'Canary Feathers', or Corydalis lutea with yellow flowers, and Claytonia sibirica, creating beautiful colourful duos that require little maintenance. All hostas grow well in pots and can remain in the same container for several years. A special geranium potting soil is recommended.

Most of the species found in Western gardens have been introduced from Japan. Hostas are edible and are called 'urui' in Japan, where they are commonly consumed.