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Summary

Bloom Color: Purple. Main Bloom Time: Mid summer. Form: Rounded, Upright or erect.

Physical Characteristics

hosta ventricosa is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to July, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Apomictic (reproduce by seeds formed without sexual fusion). The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

H. ovata. Funkia caerulea. F. ovata.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Stem
Edible Uses:

Young leaves and leaf stems - cooked. The white part of the stem is boiled[46, 61, 177].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Odontalgic

Odontalgic[74]. The root is used.

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

A good ground cover plant[104], succeeding in dense shade but rather slow to spread[197]. Plants should be spaced about 60cm apart each way[208].

Special Uses

Food Forest Ground cover

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Foundation, Ground cover, Seashore, Specimen. Thrives in most fertile soils if they are rich in humus[200]. Grows well in heavy clay soils and in sandy ones[208]. Very limy soils inhibit growth, but plants can thrive in such a situation if plenty of humus is added[208]. Prefers a pH between 6 and 7[200]. Requires a rich soil that does not dry out readily[1]. Succeeds in full sun as well as in deep shade, growing well in the semi-shade of a woodland[200, 233]. In general, the sunnier the position the moister the soil should be[233]. Plants are best not grown under trees in town gardens since the soot washed from the leaves of the trees in wet weather will tend to remain on the hosta[208]. Plants flower better when grown in a sunny position but the foliage is better when the plant is in a shady position[200]. Plants are in general fully hardy in Britain, but young leaves in spring can be destroyed by frost. New leaves are only produced in the spring and very early summer, so any damage at this time has a deep effect on the plant[233]. A vigorous plant, forming medium to large clumps[200]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200]. Since this species produces its seed apomictically, it should breed true[200] (unless there is also cross pollination of course). Cultivated for its root (used medicinally) in China[74]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233]. Plants are very attractive to slugs and snails, the young shoots in spring are especially at risk[111, K]. A number of named forms have been selected for their ornamental value[187]. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Naturalizing, Suitable for cut flowers.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a lightly shaded position in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 10°c. Make sure you keep the compost moist. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division is possible at almost any time of the year so long as there is sufficient moisture[233]. It is best carried out in March as growth commences or in early autumn if the soil is not too dry[200]. Hostas can be left undivided for many years and should not be divided any more frequently than once every 3 - 5 years to allow the leaves to reach maturity[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Anhui Sheng, Guangdong Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Guizhou Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Jiangsu Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Yunnan Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng), Korea

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Hosta clausa		Perennial	0.2	4-8		LMH	SN	M	1	0	3
Hosta clavata		Perennial	0.5	-		LMH	SN	M	1	0
Hosta crispula		Perennial	0.6	4-8	S	LMH	SN	M	2	0	3
Hosta longipes		Perennial	0.3	4-8		LMH	FSN	M	3	0	3
Hosta longissima	Swamp Hosta	Perennial	0.2	4-8		LMH	SN	MWe	2	0
Hosta montana		Perennial	1.0	4-8		LMH	SN	M	2	0
Hosta nigrescens	Kuro-Giboshi	Perennial	1.0	-		LMH	SN	M	1	0
Hosta plantaginae	August Lily	Perennial	0.6	4-8		LMH	FSN	M	1	1	3
Hosta rectifolia		Perennial	0.6	4-8		LMH	FSN	M	1	0	3
Hosta sieboldiana		Perennial	1.0	4-8		LMH	FSN	M	2	0	3
Hosta sieboldii		Perennial	0.5	4-8		LMH	SN	DM	1	0	3
Hosta species		Perennial	0.0	-		LMH	SN	DM	1	0
Hosta tardiva	Nankai-Giboshi	Perennial	0.5	-		LMH	SN	DM	2	0
Hosta undulata		Perennial	0.3	4-8		LMH	FSN	M	2	0	3
Hosta ventricosa	Blue plantain lily, Hosta	Perennial	0.6	3-9	M	LMH	FSN	M	2	1	3

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

hosta ventricosa - Stearn.