Hosta Remember Me

Hosta 'Remember Me' is a hybrid resulting from a mutation of H. 'June'. It stands out with its small, brightly variegated leaves. This deciduous perennial has intense yellow foliage that turns pure white in summer, with blue-green-grey margins that turn dark green, and a halo of medium green stripes. In midsummer, it is adorned with lavender flowers. It is a slow-growing variety, but its very light foliage is perfect for brightening shaded gardens. Its small size makes it suitable for container gardening or for borders and beds in small gardens. Plant it in a location in damp, well-drained, and rich soil that is exposed to morning sun, and its colors will be even more intense.

The Hosta is a deciduous perennial that produces its leafy clump in spring. It belongs to the Asparagaceae family. With slow growth, the Hosta 'Remember Me' forms a bushy and compact clump, reaching 35 cm (14in) in height and 60 cm (24in) in width. It is a long-lived plant with slightly puckered, thick, oval-shaped leaves, measuring about 15 cm (6in) long and 7 cm (3in) wide. Its leaves are furrowed with 9 to 11 deep veins. From the heart of its variegated foliage, flower stalks emerge from July to August, reaching 40 cm (16in) in height and bearing bell-shaped racemes of lightly scented flowers.

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. The very thick leaves of H. 'Remember Me' are highly resistant to slugs.

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 as well as the golden yellow foliage of Hakonechloas and heucheras.

Did you know: Most of the species commonly found in Western gardens were introduced from Japan. Hostas are edible and are called urui in Japan, where they are commonly consumed.