Hosta Fragrant Blue

Hosta 'Fragrant Blue' is a medium-sized cultivar with perfect heart-shaped leaves of an uncommonly powderery blue-green colour! It is adorned with low clusters of pale lavender flowers that are quite fragrant from July to August. It is a very beautiful low but spreading selection, forming an effective groundcover that will always catch the eye even in dense shade. Consider planting several plants along a pathway to enjoy its fragrance. It is easy and robust to grow, ideally developing in damp, well-drained, and rich soil. Plant this hosta in shade to maintain the intensity of its bluish colour.

This Hosta, is a deciduous and very hardy perennial, producing its compact bushy foliage from spring onwards. It belongs to the asparagus family. The plant forms a low and wide clump reaching 50 cm (20in) in height and 40 cm (16in) in width. It is a long-lived plant with thick leaves that are 20 cm (8in) tall and 16 cm (6in) wide, nicely cordate and slightly crimped, delicately undulated at the tips ending in a pointed tip. The lamina is not strongly marked by its veins.  Tall flowering stems emerge in summer from the centre of its variegated foliage. These are 50 cm (20in) tall, 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.