Hosta Wheee!

The Hosta 'Wheee!', named Hosta of the Year 2021, is an original variety recognised for its intensely variegated and undulate leaves, produced in abundance by a medium-sized but vibrant plant. Its glossy leaves are finely marginated with cream-yellow on an apple-green background, throughout their lifespan from spring to autumn, and their thick texture deters slugs. Its summer flowering consists of lavender flower spikes. A characterful and reliable variety, ideal for enhancing moist and shaded areas of the garden or terrace.

The Hosta 'Wheee!', born in the USA from unknown parents, is a deciduous herbaceous plant that emerges from the ground in spring. It belongs to the asparagus family. It has a relatively slow but long-lasting growth and forms a clump of tightly packed leaves, reaching approximately 35cm (14in) in height and 72cm (28in) in spread, depending on the growing conditions. Its leaves are lanceolate with cordate bases. They have strongly undulate margins, and pointed tips. Cream-yellow margins extend from the tip of each green leaf down to the petiole that bears them. From the heart of its variegated foliage, in July-August, emerge flowering stems of about 60cm (24in) in height, of a violet hue, bearing racemes of bell-shaped campanulate flowers, non-fragrant, and mauve in colour.

Hostas thrive in moist, well-drained and rich soils; these plants dislike drought and scorching exposures. A location lit by full afternoon sun should be avoided as it can burn the leaves of these perennials. With their generous and decorative foliage, hostas are perfect as ground cover, border plants, or in partially shaded to fully shaded flower beds. Combine hostas with each other, as well as with ferns, Solomon's seal, and other low-growing ground cover perennials such as creeping bugleweed, dead nettles... These combinations allow you to enhance the shaded and slightly moist parts of the garden, creating a pleasant haven of shade for the summer. Hostas also thrive in pots, which should be placed in partial shade and watered regularly. Around a pond, plant them with knotweeds, sedge, and astilbes.

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.