Hosta Honeysong

Hosta 'Honeysong' is a medium bright variety forming a clump of thick and heavily puckered leaves of dark greenish-grey colour with wide yellow margins. In a sunny location, the clump lightens in summer, turning to cream-edged apple green! From July to August, this deciduous perennial produces tall spikes of tubular flowers in lavender veined with white. This variety has rapid growth and a compact bushy habit, perfect for use in pots, borders or light woodland beds. Plant it in a damp, well-drained, rich soil and preferably in partial shade.

This Hosta, is a deciduous perennial that is very hardy, with its leafy clump only appearing in spring. It belongs to the asparagus family. The plant is fairly small, reaching 40 cm (16in) in height and 70 cm (28in) in width. It is a long-lived plant with thick ovate leaves with cordate bases, forming deeply puckered cups about 20 cm (8in) long and 15 cm (6in) wide with pointed tips. Its lamina is pleated with 9 pairs of veins. Emerging from the heart of its variegated foliage in summer are tall flower spikes, 60 to 70 cm (24 to 28in) high, bearing racemes of bell-shaped flowers, slightly fragrant.

Hostas like cool, well-drained and rich soils, and they absolutely dislike drought and scorching exposures. Afternoon sun should be avoided as it can burn the leaves of these perennials. In hotter and drier regions, provide a thick mulch. Hostas, with their generous and decorative foliage, are perfect as groundcovers, borders, or in partly shaded to shaded beds, where other plants struggle to grow. They prefer sheltered and damp locations such as woodlands. Varieties with blue and green foliage tolerate dense shade better. Sun tends to make blue colours turn green. Lighter foliage thrives in partial shade where their colour transforms and lightens with increased sunlight. In general, morning sun exposure allows these perennials to develop at their best and also makes them more floriferous. Gastropods (slugs and snails) particularly enjoy these fleshy perennials, so contemporary hybridisations aim to create hostas that are increasingly resistant to their attacks. This variety shows good resistance to parasites.

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