Hosta Praying Hands

Hosta 'Praying Hands' is astonishing at first glance: as ornamental as a beautiful indoor plant, this fascinating variety has long, slender, and curled light green leaves, finely edged with cream-yellow. It is a small plant that grows in a well-groomed clump, offering lavender flowers in late summer. Easy to cultivate and successful in damp soil, it will bring a truly original touch to the fresh areas of the garden. Outside its flowering period, 'Praying Hands' resembles an outdoor anthurium!

This Hosta, is a completely hardy perennial belonging to the Asparagaceae family. Probably derived from Hosta lancifolia, a Japanese and Korean species which it resembles, the plant will reach 30 to 35 cm (12 to 14in) in height and 55 cm (22in) in flower, spreading about 40 cm (16in), with a spreading habit. It forms a dense and erect clump, slightly wider than tall. It is a long-lived plant that takes some time to establish. Its foliage is deciduous, lanceolate; each very slender leaf is almost curled upon itself. On the underside of the leaves, the white veins are very apparent and well-defined. The lamina is a bright and vivid green colour, bordered by a thin pale yellow edge. The flowering takes place in August-September, in the form of pale lavender bell-shaped flowers, pendulous, grouped towards the top of the peduncles, which can reach 55 cm (22in) in height.

Hosta 'Praying Hands' 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 keep the moisture level constant in summer.

Most species widespread in our gardens have been introduced from Japan. Hostas are edible and are called 'urui' in Japan, where they are commonly consumed.