Hosta True Blue

Hosta 'True Blue' is a variety with large and wide leaves strongly embossed with a very intense pruinose blue! It is a hybrid of H. sieboldiana with even bluer leaves. The foliage is thick, cordate, deeply wrinkled, and fabulously rough. In mid-summer, almost white pendulous bell-shaped spikes discreetly crown its foliage. It has a medium growth rate and shows good resistance to slugs. This deciduous perennial forms a large, slightly arched clump that remains decorative from spring to autumn. It is a versatile plant, perfect for borders, ground cover, pots, or structuring perennial beds. Easy to grow, plant it in shade or partial shade in moist, well-drained, average to rich soil.

The Hosta, or Funkia, is a deciduous perennial that is very hardy and produces its leafy clump from spring onwards. It belongs to the asparagus family. With a medium growth rate, the Hosta 'True Blue' forms a compact bushy cushion reaching 60cm (24in) in height and 100cm (39in) in spread. It is a long-lived plant with large cordate leaves, deeply wrinkled, with undulating margins, forming slightly cupped shapes about 31cm (12in) tall and 26cm (10in) wide, with pointed tips. Its lamina is pleated by 16 pairs of very deep veins. Its very tough leaves are resistant to slugs. From the heart of its bluish foliage emerge from July to August tall flower spikes, about 75-80cm (30-32in) in height, bearing racemes of bell-shaped flowers, not very fragrant.

Hostas like moist, well-drained, and rich soils, and dislike drought and scorching exposures. A location exposed to afternoon sun should be avoided, as it can burn the leaves of these perennials. In hotter and drier regions, provide a thick mulch. Hostas, with their generous and decorative foliage, are perfect as ground cover, in borders, or in partially shaded to shaded beds, where other plants struggle to grow. They like sheltered and moist locations such as woodlands. Varieties with bluish and green foliage tolerate dense shade better. Sun 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) are particularly fond of these fleshy perennials, so 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 ground cover perennials such as creeping bugles, geraniums, and lamiums. All are very effective as slug repellents. The silver-leaved Brunnera macrophylla Mr Morse will be excellent companions. Also consider Heucheras with their wonderful range of colours or the delicate flowers of Epimediums. Golden foliage contrasts beautifully with their red and orange shades. These combinations will allow you to enhance darker and slightly damp areas of the garden, creating a pleasant haven of shade for the summer. Hostas also thrive in pots that should be placed in partial shade and watered regularly. Hostas pair wonderfully with spring bulbs that appear in late spring, just in time to cover faded plants with their generous foliage! Around a pond, plant them with persicarias, sedges, and astilbes. The blue foliage harmonises perfectly with the red and purple foliage of Japanese maples.

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