Hosta Snake Eyes

Hosta 'Snake Eyes' is a very beautiful cultivar that combines vigour and a stylish appearance. Its elegant variegated foliage presents a unique pattern, which takes the form of a white line separating the centre of each leaf, green with golden reflections, from their darker green border. The plant forms a large cushion of foliage, from which mauve bell-shaped flower spikes emerge in summer. It is a magnificent perennial, easy to grow in moist soil. A fantastic choice to animate slightly shaded areas, both in the ground and in pots. Also superb near a pond.

This Hosta Snake Eyes is a very beautiful descendant of the Striptease hosta. It is a deciduous perennial that is completely hardy, having a very wide dome-shaped habit from spring. It belongs to the asparagaceae family. The plant will reach a height of 50 to 55cm (20 to 22in), exceed 65cm (26in) in flower and cover more than one square meter, growing quite rapidly over the years. It develops large elongated heart-shaped leaves, ending in a pointed tip, with a thick and slightly wavy texture. The leaf surface is quite undulate and folded, and is traversed by visible veins. It shows a central area that transitions from chartreuse-green to yellow, edged with white, and a dark green border. From the heart of its variegated foliage, lavender pendulous bell-shaped flowers emerge in July-August, grouped towards its top. This 'Snake Eyes' variety tolerates morning sun in slightly moist soil. It is a plant with good longevity.

Hosta 'Snake Eyes' will not go unnoticed, it's eye-catching in a semi-shaded scene. It pairs well with numerous perennials such as astilbes, ferns, epimediums, and Claytonia sibirica, with which it forms beautiful colourful duos that require little maintenance. It will also look amazing in the company of columbines and tall digitalis or small violets. It can also be combined with shade-tolerant shrubs such as Mexican orange, variegated hollies, and azaleas. All hostas grow well in pots and can remain in the same container for several years. Choose a special geranium potting soil to use during the growing season. As long as the foliage is not too dense, you can water the pot from above. Then place a saucer under the pot, maintaining a constant level of water in summer.

Most species found in Western gardens have been introduced from Japan. Edible hostas are called 'urui' in Japan, where they are commonly consumed.