Hosta Raspberry Sundae

Hosta Raspberry Sundae is a variety of moderate size, which is remarkably colourful: it is one of the few cultivars that combines variegated foliage with red petioles. Its leaves display a beautiful combination of creamy white to pale yellow, with different shades of green on the edges, all enhanced by a touch of red that diffuses from beautiful red petioles. Even its late summer flowers, in a purple shade, are more colourful than that of usual varieties. This superb perennial will make a strong impression in shaded areas of the garden or patio, in moist soil.

Hostas belong to the Liliaceae family. Native to Japan and China, there are no less than forty species and countless horticultural varieties appreciated for their foliage. The Hosta is an herbaceous and deciduous perennial plant that is easy to grow in ordinary soil, preferably in shade. Its growth emerges from the ground in spring and disappears in winter.

This Hosta 'Raspberry Sundae' is a recent creation from Terra Nova Nurseries (U.S.A). The plant bears rosettes of beautiful slightly glossy leaves, elongated heart-shaped, veined, with a cream white center infused with yellow, bordered by a range of green. Each leaf is carried by a dark red petiole. The plant reaches about 25 cm (10in) in height and 50 cm (20in) in width at maturity. Flowering occurs in late summer, generally in August-September. Pink-violet stems, 58 cm (23in) tall, bearing violet flowers. Hostas are very long-lived plants that can live for many years in the garden.

Hosta Raspberry Sundae is very decorative in groups, as a border plant, and also in a pot. Combine it with other varieties of hosta, as well as tiarellas and brunneras at the base of a large tree to create a sumptuous mass of foliage. It will also mix well with many perennials such as astilbes, Japanese ferns, epimediums and purple cimicifugas, with which it forms lovely duos that require little maintenance. Its foliage will hide the gaps left by spring-flowering bulbs. It will also thrive in the company of lungworts and small violets... All hostas grow well in pots, and can remain in the same container for several years.  As long as the foliage is not too dense, watering from the top of the pot can be done. Then place a saucer under the pot to keeping the moisture level constant in summer.