Hosta Touch Of Class

Recently introduced, Hosta 'Touch of Class' is a variety of unparalleled refinement! It presents an impeccable clump of very thick, elongated heart-shaped leaves, with an intense powdery blue colour enhancing a narrow chartreuse-green centre. Its colours then turn to blue-green and golden yellow, very vibrant. From June to July, this perennial produces long stems bearing pendulous lavender flowers. It is a top choice hosta with moderate proportions, perfect for creating very stylised borders, colourful ground cover in the shade, or for structuring partially sunny perennial beds. The hosta likes shaded locations with moist, well-drained, ordinary to rich soil.

Hosta 'Touch of Class' is a mutation of H. 'June' with thicker leaves and wider dark edges. This Hosta, or Funkia, is a deciduous perennial that only produces its leafy clump in spring. It belongs to the asparagus family. With a moderate growth rate, this cultivar forms a cushion with a compact bushy habit reaching 35cm (14in) in height and 50cm (20in) in spread. It is a long-lived plant with cordate-based ovate leaves that are about 11cm (4in) tall and 9cm (4in) wide, with pointed tips. Its lamina is plicate with 6 pairs of very deep veins. Its very tough leaves resist slugs. From the heart of its bluish foliage emerge in early summer flowering stems about 55cm (22in) tall, bearing clusters of bell-shaped flowers that are slightly fragrant.

Hostas like moist, well-drained, and rich soils, but hate drought and scorching exposures. Afternoon sunlit locations should be avoided as they can scorch the leaves of these perennials. In hotter and drier regions, thick mulching should be considered. Hostas with their generous and decorative foliage are perfect as ground covers, in borders, or in partially shaded to shaded beds, where other plants struggle to grow. Indeed, they like sheltered locations that remain moist like woodlands. Varieties with blue and green foliage tolerate dense shade better. Sunlight tends to make blue colours turn green. Lighter foliage thrives in partial shade where their colour transforms and lightens with increased sunlight. In general, morning sun exposure allows optimal development of these perennials and also makes them more floriferous. Gastropods (slugs and snails), which are particularly fond of these fleshy perennials, have led to contemporary hybridisations aiming to create hostas that are increasingly resistant to their attacks.

Combine them in groups with other hostas, ferns, delphiniums, Solomon's seals, and other low-growing ground cover perennials such as creeping bugleweed, geraniums, and dead nettles. All are very effective as slug repellents. The Silver Brunnera macrophylla Mr Morse will be an excellent companion in a woodland setting. Also consider Heucheras with their wonderful range of colours, or the delicate flowers of Fairy Bells (Epimediums). The golden foliage contrasts beautifully with their red and orange tones. These combinations can enhance the shaded and slightly moist parts of the garden, creating a pleasant haven of shade for the summer. Hostas also thrive in containers that should be placed in partial shade and watered regularly. Hostas complement bulbs appearing in late spring, at the perfect time to cover faded plants with their generous foliage! Around a pond, plant them with persicarias, sedges, and astilbes. The blue foliage blends perfectly with the red and purple foliage of Japanese maples.

Did you know: Most species widespread in Western gardens have been introduced from Japan. Hostas are edible and are called "urui" in Japan, where they are commonly consumed.