Hosta sieboldii Silver Kabitan

Hosta sieboldii 'Silver Kabitan', also known as Hosta lancifolia var. thunbergiana f. kabitan or Hosta 'Shiro Kabitan', is a miniature variety that is unique and will make a big impact: this bright little plant forms a mound of narrow, slightly twisted leaves, displaying a beautiful almost white central area bordered by green. It comes to life in the summer with pretty floral stems adorned with dark lavender trumpets. Easy to grow in moist soil, this little perennial can make a refined ground cover, especially along the edge of a pond or in a Japanese-style setting. You can also place it in a lovely pot on the terrace to admire at your leisure!

The 'Silver Kabitan' Hosta, registered in Japan in 1986, is a mutation of the Hosta sieboldii, native to Japan and China. It is a deciduous perennial, forming a spreading clump from spring onwards. It belongs to the lily family or the hosta family, depending on the classification. The plant, which grows quite rapidly, reaches a height of 20-25cm (8-10in) for the foliage, spreading over 35-40cm (14-16in). It has a cascading habit due to the beautifully layered arrangement of its leaves. The leaves are lanceolate in shape, with a pointed tip and undulate margin, and a slightly wavy texture. The leaf measures a maximum of 12.5cm (5in) long and 7cm (3in) wide. It starts off as a pale yellow, finely edged with medium green on the young leaves, then becomes cream-white with a dark green margin, more or less variegated with light green. The plant retains its light colouration well in slightly sunny situations. In July-August, floral stems emerge from the foliage, reaching a height of 40-45cm (16-18in). They bear loose clusters of decorative deep lavender flowers. This perennial spreads via stolons, similar to strawberries, and has excellent longevity.

The 'Silver Kabitan' Hosta pairs well with ferns or eucomis in partial shade, creating an elegant and surprising effect, and requiring minimal maintenance. This hosta will also look great alongside Japanese primroses, columbines, foxgloves, or violets. All hostas grow well in pots and can remain in the same container for several years. Choose a potting mix for geraniums and flowering plants to use during the growing season. As long as the foliage is not too dense, you can water from the top of the pot. Then place a saucer under the pot, maintaining a consistent level of water in the summer.

Most hosta species commonly found in Western gardens were introduced from Japan to Europe by Philipp Franz von Siebold in the mid-19th century. Hostas are edible and are called "urui" in Japan, where they are commonly consumed in various forms.