Hosta Paradise Island

Hosta 'Paradise Island' is a bright variety with exotic colors! Starting lime-green yellow with thin and irregular dark green margins, they turn greyish green with a cream-white edge in late summer. The petioles are coloured red, rising up to the bases of the central veins of the leaves. From July to August, this hosta is crowned with pendulous bell-shaped lavender flowers on purple stems. This deciduous perennial has a moderate growth and is a great asset for brightening up dark corners and providing amazing contrasts in shady and cool perennial beds.  This deciduous perennial has moderate growth and is a great asset for illuminating shady areas and providing striking contrasts in shaded perennial borders. It exhibits more intense colours in partial shade.

Hosta 'Paradise Island' is a mutation of H. 'Fire Island' and represents one of the most interesting selections in the 'Paradise' lineage. This Hosta, is a hardy deciduous perennial that forms its leafy clump in spring. It belongs to the Asparagaceae family. This fast-growing plant reaches 40 cm (16in) in height and 60 cm (24in) in spread. It has a long lifespan and bears wrinkled, widely undulate leaves with pointed tips. The leaves are pleated with 6 pairs of deep veins. Emerging from the heart of its variegated foliage in summer are tall flower stalks about 45 to 50 cm (18 to 20in) high, carrying racemes 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 colours turn green. Lighter foliage thrives in partial shade, where their colours change and lighten 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.