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Hosta species - .

Common Name
Family Funkiaceae
USDA hardiness Coming soon
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Not known
Range
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Hosta species


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Hosta species
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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 
Hosta species is a PERENNIAL.
It is frost tender. It is in flower from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
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 semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Edible Uses

Young leaves and leaf stems - cooked.

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.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Many other species of Hosta that are not listed in the database probably have edible leaf stems. The following notes are general for the genus. 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]. The leaves turn yellowish when the plant is grown in full sun[121]. 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]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer and rabbits[233]. Plants are very attractive to slugs and snails, the young shoots in spring are especially at risk[111, K]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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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. These are cultivars and so will not breed true from seed. 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 Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

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 it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Hosta clausa Perennial0.2 4-8  LMHSNM103
Hosta clavata Perennial0.5 -  LMHSNM10 
Hosta crispula Perennial0.6 4-8 SLMHSNM203
Hosta longipes Perennial0.3 4-8  LMHFSNM303
Hosta longissimaSwamp HostaPerennial0.2 4-8  LMHSNMWe20 
Hosta montana Perennial1.0 4-8  LMHSNM20 
Hosta nigrescensKuro-GiboshiPerennial1.0 -  LMHSNM10 
Hosta plantaginaeAugust LilyPerennial0.6 4-8  LMHFSNM113
Hosta rectifolia Perennial0.6 4-8  LMHFSNM103
Hosta sieboldiana Perennial1.0 4-8  LMHFSNM203
Hosta sieboldii Perennial0.5 4-8  LMHSNDM103
Hosta tardivaNankai-GiboshiPerennial0.5 -  LMHSNDM20 
Hosta undulata Perennial0.3 4-8  LMHFSNM203
Hosta ventricosaBlue plantain lily, HostaPerennial0.6 3-9 MLMHFSNM213

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.

 

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Subject : Hosta species  
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