Hosta Rainbows End

The 'Rainbows End' Hosta is a unique variety, remarkable for its intense colour variations and the lustre that adorns its foliage. This hosta develops large thick-textured leaves, which appear to be painted with broad strokes of bright yellow and dark green. The yellow areas evolve into cream and white in summer. Each leaf is different, and the whole plant seems to shimmer in the light from spring to autumn. This medium-sized variety shows average to slow growth. As if that weren't enough, 'Rainbows End' offers, as a final gift, lovely deep purple flowers carried on bright red stems in late summer. Easy to grow and thrive in moist soil, it will add a beautiful touch of colour to shaded areas of the garden.

This 'Rainbows End' Hosta, or Funkia, is a fully hardy perennial, with a clump-forming habit from spring. It belongs to the asparagus family. The plant will reach a height of 30 to 40cm (12 to 16in) and 60cm (24in) in flower, spreading at least 55cm (22in), quite slowly. It forms a clump wider than it is tall. It is a long-lived plant, with large, wide, heart-shaped deciduous leaves; ending in a pointed tip, with visible veins. The leaf surface is thick and very glossy, with visible veins. This variety also stands out for its flowering, a rare shade among hostas. It occurs in August-September, when bright red flower spikes appear in the centre of the clump, carrying clusters of pendulous purple-violet bells, grouped towards the top.

The 'Rainbows End' hybrid Hosta is a colour magician, combining the cool shades of its changing foliage with red-violet flowers. This plant, used alone, will become a focal point in any shaded bed, along a path, or among the stones of a damp rockery. It pairs well with many perennials such as astilbes, ferns, epimediums, and Claytonia sibirica with which it forms beautiful colourful duos that require little maintenance. Its ample foliage will conceal the gaps left by spring-flowering bulbs. It will also look great with lungworts, brunneras, and tall foxgloves or small violets. It can also be paired with semi-shade shrubs such as Mexican orange blossoms, variegated hollies, and azaleas. All hostas grow well in pots and can remain in the same container for several years. Choose a geranium-specific potting soil to use during the growing season. As long as the foliage is not too dense, you can water from the top of the pot. Then place a saucer under the pot where you will pour the water, maintaining a constant level of moisture in summer.

Most species commonly found in Western gardens were introduced from Japan. Edible, hostas are called 'urui' in Japan, where they are commonly consumed.