Hosta Kiwi Full Monty

'Kiwi Full Monty' Hosta is a recent cultivar with delicately variegated foliage and vigorous growth. The plant forms a dense mound of numerous lanceolate leaves, with a green-grey to yellowish centre that is marked with fine white lines. This variety blooms in July-August, with small lavender bell-shaped flowers. This hardy perennial is easy to grow and thrives in moist soil. It will be a great addition to a partially shaded or shaded area, or near a pond.

This Hosta is a completely hardy perennial, with a wide dome-shaped habit starting from spring. It belongs to the Asparagus family. 'Kiwi Full Monty' is a mutation of the variety 'Striptease'. The plant will reach a height of 50 to 55 cm (20 to 22in), surpassing 75 cm (30in) when in flower, and will cover an area of over one square metre, growing quite rapidly over the years. It forms a beautiful cluster of leaves that are wider than they are tall. It is a long-lived plant, with large and broad deciduous heart-shaped leaves, ending in a pointed tip and a slightly wavy appearance. The lamina is marked with visible veins. The lamina has a lime green and ashy green centre that turns pale yellow, and this central area is more or less surrounded by a white line. The leaves are edged with powdery blue-green. From the centre of its variegated foliage, pendant lavender bell-shaped inflorescences emerge in July, grouped towards the top.

The 'Kiwi Full Monty' hybrid Hosta will not go unnoticed, attracting all attention in a partially shaded setting. It combines well with helxine, ferns, epimediums, and Claytonia sibirica, with which it forms beautiful colourful duos that require little maintenance. It will also be valuable when used as a small groundcover, in the company of columbines and painted Japanese ferns, or even 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.

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