Hosta Orange Marmelade

'Hosta 'Orange Marmalade' is a fascinating variety, with changing and bright variegated foliage! It forms a medium-sized clump with compact bushy habit and oval, puckered, deeply veined leaves. The leaves emerge green, then quickly develop a yellow heart gradually turning lime green with hints of green and orange. By the end of summer, they turn cream-white with green margins. From July to August, this hosta produces spike-like lavender bell-shaped flowers. This deciduous perennial has moderate growth and is a great addition to illuminate shady corners and provide striking contrasts in shaded borders with a cool environment. It exhibits more intense colours in partial shade.

'Hosta 'Orange Marmalade' is a very hardy deciduous perennial that only appear as a leafy clump in spring. It belongs to the asparagaceae family. This fast-growing plant reaches a height of 45 cm (18in) with a spread of 60 cm (24in). It has a long lifespan and bears puckered,mpointed oval leaves. Its leaves are pleated with 6 pairs of deep veins. Emerging from the variegated foliage in summer are flower stalks about 45 to 50 cm (18 to 20in) tall, bearing clusters of bell-shaped flowers that are lightly scented.

Hostas thrive in damp, well-drained, and rich soils, and they absolutely dislike drought and scorching sunlight. Afternoon sun should be avoided as it can scorch the leaves of these perennials. In hotter and drier regions, a thick mulch should be applied. Hostas, with their generous and decorative foliage, are perfect for groundcover, borders, or shaded perennial borders, 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 colors turn green. Lighter foliage thrives in partial shade, where their colours change and lightens with increased sunlight. In general, morning sun allows optimal development of these perennials and also enhances their flowering. Gastropods (slugs and snails) are particularly fond of these fleshy perennials.  Contemporary hybridisations aim to create hostas that are increasingly resistant to their attacks.

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.