Hosta Revolution

Hosta 'Revolution' is a unique variety with its cream-white foliage marbled with wide and irregular dark green margins. It forms a medium-sized clump of large, thick and glossy leaves. In midsummer, it produces spikes of lavender tubular flowers. This deciduous perennial has a moderate growth rate and tolerates sunny positions quite well. Use it in borders or as a companion plant in partially shaded flower beds. It prefers moist, well-drained and rich soils.

The Hosta, also known as the Plantain Lily, is a deciduous perennial that is very hardy and only produces its leafy clump from spring onwards. It belongs to the asparagus family. Hosta 'Revolution' forms a compact bushy clump reaching 40 cm (16in) in height and 60 cm (24in) in spread. It is a plant with a good lifespan that bears glossy, thick leaves with a slightly wavy, oval shape and rounded base, measuring about 19 cm (8in) long and 10 cm (4in) wide. Its leaves have 9 to 11 pairs of veins. Its petiole is white. From the centre of its variegated foliage, from July to August, emerge 50 to 60 cm (20 to 24in) tall flowering stems bearing racemes of bell-shaped flowers, with little fragrance.

Hostas like moist, well-drained and rich soils, and absolutely dislike drought and scorching from the sun. Avoid a location exposed to afternoon sun, 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 groundcover, borders, or in partially shaded to shaded flower beds, where other plants struggle to grow. Indeed, they thrive in sheltered and damp locations such as woodland areas. 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 allows optimal development of these perennials and also makes them more floriferous. Gastropods (slugs and snails) are particularly fond of these fleshy perennials, so recent hybridisations aim to create hostas that are increasingly resistant to their attacks. The thick leaves of H. 'Revolution' are very resistant to slugs.

Combine them in groups with other hostas, ferns, delphiniums, Solomon's seal, and other low-growing groundcover perennials such as creeping bugleweed, geraniums, and dead nettles.  All of them are very effective as slug repellents. Silvery Brunnera macrophylla Mr Morse, which is familiar in woodland areas, will be an excellent companion. Also consider Heucheras and their fantastic range of colours, or the delicate flowers of Epimediums. The golden foliage contrasts wonderfully with their red and orange tones. This way, you can enhance the shaded and slightly damp parts of the garden by creating a pleasant haven for the summer. Hostas also thrive in pots that should be placed in partial shade and watered regularly. Hostas complement spring bulbs appearing in late spring, providing ample foliage to cover old plants. Plant them around a pond with sedges, and astilbes. The blue foliage blends perfectly with the red and purple foliage of Japanese maples, as well as the golden yellow foliage of Hakone grasses and Heucheras.

Did you know? Most species commonly found in Western gardens have been introduced from Japan. Hostas are edible and are called urui in Japan, where they are commonly consumed.