Hosta Guacamole

Hosta 'Guacamole', which has won several awards, is a beautiful descendant of Hosta Fragrant Bouquet, from which it inherited its fragrant flowering. The plant forms a large clump of wide, thick, slightly shiny leaves, bordered in green around an apple green centre that turns yellow in cold weather. The beauty of the foliage is complemented by beautiful flowers consisting of tall spikes adorned with pale lavender flowers, large in size and very fragrant. This variety, which is not very attractive to slugs, really stands out in the garden or in a large pot on the patio. It can tolerate morning sun and is fairly resistant to slugs.

Hosta 'Guacamole' is a deciduous hardy perennial whose above-ground growth emerges from the ground in spring. It belongs to the asparagus family. The plant, which grows quite quickly and has a good lifespan, reaches about 45 cm (18in) in height and 60-70 cm (24-28in) in width. It develops large, broad, cordate-based, pointed, slightly incurved leaves that form a dome. Their shiny lamina is marked by 6 pairs of deep veins. From the centre of its variegated foliage emerge, in August, tall flowering spikes about 80 cm (32in) high, bearing bell-shaped, pale mauve flowers, and very fragrant.

Combine them in groups with other hostas, ferns, delphiniums, Solomon's seal, and other low-growing groundcover perennials such as creeping bugle, geraniums, and lamiums. All of these are highly effective as slug repellents. The silver-leaved Brunnera macrophylla Mr Morse, which is familiar in woodland settings, makes an excellent companion. Also consider Heucheras with their wonderful range of colours, or the delicate flowers of Epimediums. The golden foliage contrasts beautifully with their red and orange tones. Hostas also thrive in pots that should be placed in partial shade and watered regularly. Hostas complement spring bulbs, appearing in late spring to cover faded plants with their generous foliage! Plant them around a pond with persicarias, carex, and astilbes. The blue-toned leaves harmonise perfectly with the red and purple foliage of Japanese maples.

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.