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Hosta Formal Attire
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Dispatch by letter from €3.90.
Delivery charge from €5.90 Oversize package delivery charge from €6.90.
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This plant carries a 12 months recovery warranty
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We guarantee the quality of our plants for a full growing cycle, and will replace at our expense any plant that fails to recover under normal climatic and planting conditions.
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Hosta 'Formal Attire' is a variety that stands out for its large heart-shaped foliage changing from dark blue-green with a cream-yellow border to dark green with a white border in summer. Its thick leaves are quite resistant to slug attacks. From June to July, it has particularly tall clusters of very pale lavender flowers. It is a large and fast-growing hosta that forms an interesting groundcover in borders or around a pond in partial shade.
This Hosta, is a cross between H. 'Breeder's Choice' and H. 'Frances Williams'. It is a deciduous and very hardy perennial, with its leafy clump only appearing in spring. It belongs to the Asparagaceae family. The plant forms a low and wide clump reaching 40 cm (16in) tall and 90 cm (35in) wide. It is a long-lived plant with thick, cordate leaves that become slightly puckered at maturity and end in a pointed tip. The leaf blade is marked by 12 pairs of deep veins. From the centre of its variegated foliage, in July-August, emerge 95 cm (37in) tall flower stalks, bearing racemes of bell-shaped flowers that are slightly fragrant.
Hostas thrive in damp, well-drained, and rich soils, and they absolutely dislike drought and scorching sunlight. Afternoon sun should be avoided as it can scorch the leaves of these perennials. In hotter and drier regions, a thick mulch should be applied. Hostas, with their generous and decorative foliage, are perfect for groundcover, borders, or shaded perennial borders, where other plants struggle to grow. They prefer sheltered and damp locations such as woodlands. Varieties with blue and green foliage tolerate dense shade better. Sun tends to make blue colors turn green. Lighter foliage thrives in partial shade, where their colours change and lightens with increased sunlight. In general, morning sun allows optimal development of these perennials and also enhances their flowering. Gastropods (slugs and snails) are particularly fond of these fleshy perennials. Contemporary hybridisations aim to create hostas that are increasingly resistant to their attacks.
Combine them in groups with other hostas, ferns, delphiniums, Solomon's seal, and other low-growing groundcover perennials such as creeping bugle, geraniums, and lamiums. All of these are highly effective as slug repellents. The silver-leaved Brunnera macrophylla Mr Morse, which is familiar in woodland settings, makes an excellent companion. Also consider Heucheras with their wonderful range of colours, or the delicate flowers of Epimediums. The golden foliage contrasts beautifully with their red and orange tones. Hostas also thrive in pots that should be placed in partial shade and watered regularly. Hostas complement spring bulbs, appearing in late spring to cover faded plants with their generous foliage! Plant them around a pond with persicarias, carex, and astilbes. The blue-toned leaves harmonise perfectly with the red and purple foliage of Japanese maples.
Did you know: Most of the species commonly found in our gardens were introduced from Japan. Hostas are edible and are known as urui in Japan, where they are commonly consumed.
Hosta Formal Attire in pictures
Flowering
Foliage
Plant habit
Botanical data
Hostas can be planted in spring or autumn. Hostas prefer a deep, humus-rich, loose soil, which is preferably neutral to acidic and moist to wet throughout the year. Plant them in partial shade or partial shade and in a sheltered position away from strong winds.
Prepare a planting hole of 20 cm (8in) x 20 cm (8in) x 20 cm (8in). If your soil is heavy, mix half compost with crumbled soil, partially backfill, and place your plant in a clump so that the top of the clump is covered with 3 cm (1in) of soil. The addition of a fertiliser (bonemeal) will nourish your plant during its rooting period without the risk of burning. Ensure that the collar is well above ground level. Firm the soil and water generously to eliminate air pockets. If the weather is dry, you will need to water regularly for a few weeks to help the establishment of your plant. Also, water regularly in case of a dry summer.
With their preference for humid areas, slugs and snails never stray too far from hostas. Even though blue or variegated hostas often have thicker and tougher foliage, which is less appetising to slugs, these plants must be protected from gastropods. Protect your hostas by surrounding them with granules approved in organic agriculture, eggshells, coffee grounds, mulch, or any dry and rough natural substance that repels them. Hedgehogs are the gardener's best allies in the fight against gastropods because, unlike chickens, they do not dig up the soil and do not attack the lush green shoots of young plants. Finally, some plants have a repellent odour for slugs, such as wormwood and garlic.
Planting period
Intended location
Care
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Hardiness is the lowest winter temperature a plant can endure without suffering serious damage or even dying. However, hardiness is affected by location (a sheltered area, such as a patio), protection (winter cover) and soil type (hardiness is improved by well-drained soil).
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The flowering period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions located in USDA zone 8 (France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Netherlands, etc.)
It will vary according to where you live:
In temperate climates, pruning of spring-flowering shrubs (forsythia, spireas, etc.) should be done just after flowering.
Pruning of summer-flowering shrubs (Indian Lilac, Perovskia, etc.) can be done in winter or spring.
In cold regions as well as with frost-sensitive plants, avoid pruning too early when severe frosts may still occur.
The planting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions located in USDA zone 8 (France, United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands).
It will vary according to where you live:
The harvesting period indicated on our website applies to countries and regions in USDA zone 8 (France, England, Ireland, the Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...) fruit and vegetable harvests are likely to be delayed by 3-4 weeks.
In warmer areas (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), harvesting will probably take place earlier, depending on weather conditions.
The sowing periods indicated on our website apply to countries and regions within USDA Zone 8 (France, UK, Ireland, Netherlands).
In colder areas (Scandinavia, Poland, Austria...), delay any outdoor sowing by 3-4 weeks, or sow under glass.
In warmer climes (Italy, Spain, Greece, etc.), bring outdoor sowing forward by a few weeks.