Hosta Cliffords Stingray

The Hosta 'Clifford's Stingray' is an elegant, low variety whose leaves are adorned with a narrow cream-white centre, bordered by a wide, irregular, dark green margin, with a touch of celadon green linking these two colors. They are oval and cordate in shape, thick, veined, slightly curled. It is a hosta for partial shade that forms a compact clump. Its late summer flowering is in spikes adorned with mauve bells. It makes a big impact in the garden where its moderate proportions and brightness are perfect for graphic borders, flower beds, or pots. Hostas like cool, well-drained, ordinary to rich soil.

This Hosta, or Funkia 'Clifford's Stingray', is a completely hardy perennial that belongs to the asparagaceae family. This variety comes from the Hosta 'Loyalist'. It was obtained by John Clifford in 2000. It is a deciduous perennial that is very hardy, and only produces its leafy clump from spring onwards. It forms a compact clump. The mature plant, which takes 5 years to reach its full size, measures 40 cm (16in) in all directions. Its leaves are oval and pointed, veined and slightly twisted, about 15 cm (6in) tall and 10 cm (4in) wide. They have a variegated pattern of cream-white and dark green, forming a beautiful design. Flowering takes place in August and September, in the form of elongated lavender-coloured bells. This perennial spreads through stolons, similar to strawberries. It is a long-lived plant.

Hostas are sensitive to drought and hot exposures. A location exposed to afternoon sun should be avoided as it can burn the leaves of these perennials. With their generous and decorative foliage, they are perfect as ground cover, borders, or in semi-shady to shady flower beds, where other plants struggle to grow. Indeed, they prefer sheltered and cool locations such as woodlands. In general, exposure to morning sun allows optimal development of these perennials and also makes them more floriferous. At the edge of woodlands, sheltered from the wind, where the soil is deep and fertile, this Hosta Clifford's Stingray pairs well with ferns, meadow rues, and Claytonia sibirica, forming beautiful colourful duos that require little maintenance. It will also look great alongside columbines, Brunneras, and Heucheras in borders. All hostas grow well in pots and can remain in the same container for several years.

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.