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Hosta plantain is a perennial low shrub that is often used for carpet plantings. It features beautiful foliage and fragrant white flowers. It is mainly grown in the regions of Central Russia, since it does not have high winter hardiness.
Description of plantain hosta
Hosta plantain is sometimes called plantain lily. This is a perennial flowering shrub with relatively high peduncles (up to 45-50 cm in height). The inflorescences are short and dense, flowers appear in late July - early August. The petals are painted white and cream colors. The length of the flowers is 10-13 cm. Flowering in the climatic conditions of the middle zone can be irregular, but in the southern regions it is stable.
The tubular flowers of Hosta plantain exude a noticeable, pleasant aroma.
The bush is quite compact, up to 50-60 cm in diameter. The leaves are large (up to 28 cm long, 20 cm wide), oval, heart-shaped. They are distinguished by a shiny, slightly wrinkled surface with 7 pairs of veins. The edges are almost straight, slightly wavy.Hosta plantain is a sun-loving variety, and it also tolerates light shading (several hours a day). With proper care, the bush grows quickly, but still remains compact.
Hosta plantain is distinguished not only by its beautiful flowers, but also by its decorative leaves.
The winter hardiness of green hosta plantain is not too high - it may not withstand extreme frosts below -25 degrees (zone 4). Therefore, the recommended growing regions include the following:
- Moscow region and middle zone;
- Volga region;
- Chernozem region;
- South of Russia.
Varieties of plantain hosta
In nature, the plantain host Hosta Plantaginea grows in Japan and Eastern China. And under cultural conditions, 2 varieties are cultivated - Aphrodite and Grandiflora.
Grandiflora
Hosta plantain Grandiflora is often used for carpet plantings - both in compositions with other plants and in solitary (separate) plantings. It features beautiful foliage and tall peduncles. Looks appropriate in rock gardens and next to small bodies of water.
This type of plantain hosta has beautiful bright green foliage with a glossy surface.
Aphrodite
Hosta plantain Aphrodite is a large bush, peduncles grow up to 50 cm in height. At the same time, the flowers are also large, pure white, double, and give a strong aroma.
This plantain hosta variety grows quickly and prefers light shade rather than full sun.
Application in landscape design
Plantain hosta looks good:
- in solitary, carpet plantings (its lush foliage completely covers the soil and forms a homogeneous landscape);
- in mixborders with other colors;
- in rock gardens;
- on open lawns;
- near bodies of water.
The bush goes well with the following plants:
- marsh iris;
- lungwort;
- lavender;
- lily;
- jasmine;
- undergrowth;
- marigold;
- forget-me-not;
- astilbe and others.
Reproduction methods
You can dilute hosta plantain:
- cuttings;
- dividing the bush;
- from the meristem (only in industrial conditions).
Most often in practice, the propagation method is used by dividing the bush, since it is the simplest and most effective. This can be done in late spring or summer (it is better to take adult plants aged 4-5 years). The instructions are as follows:
- Using a fork, shovel and knife, carefully dig out the bush. To do this, place the pitchfork in the ground and move it apart as wide as possible, and remove the bush itself with a shovel. If necessary, trim the roots with a knife.
- The bush is divided into several parts so that each has at least 1 pair of rosettes of leaves.
- Bushes are planted at a distance of 30-40 cm from each other.
- Water abundantly and feed regularly (3 times per season).
Planting plantain hosta
It is best to plant hosta in late spring, when the snow has finally melted, the first foliage appears, and the threat of return frosts has disappeared. In the middle zone this is the end of April or even the beginning of May, in the south - the first half of April.In this case, it is advisable to prepare the site in the fall - dig it to a shallow depth of 30-40 cm and fill it with a layer of any organic fertilizer (up to 10 cm).
Another planting option is in early autumn (until mid-September or early October in the southern regions). Then the soil is not pre-prepared - it just needs to be cleaned, dug up a little and thoroughly moistened literally a few hours before planting. Hosta is planted at least 3-4 weeks before the first frost.
The bush takes root well even on moderately fertile soils. In this case, the soil should be light, loose and well moistened. The reaction of the medium can be either neutral, moderately acidic or moderately alkaline (pH from 5 to 8). It is better to choose an open area, with light shading from trees, bushes or buildings.
Most hostas love good shade, but it is better to plant plantain in light shade so that it can produce flowers.
When buying a bush, you need to pay attention to the rhizome: it must have at least 1 growth bud, or even better, 2-3. The roots should look healthy and fairly developed (more than 10 cm in length). If they are dried out, they may die. There should also be no signs of disease, mold or rot.
The algorithm for planting hosta plantain is as follows:
- In the prepared area, dig a planting hole - it should be wider than the rhizomes so that they fit freely in the soil. Up to 30-40 cm deep.
- Rotted manure and compost soil are added to the soil in equal quantities, half as much peat and a few pinches of sand. If the soil is acidic, you can add a glass of wood ash.
- The soil is filled to 2/3 of the height and watered thoroughly.
- Then sprinkle it again (but not tightly) and lay out a small layer of mulch 2 cm (pine needles, sawdust).
Growing rules
Gardeners note that hostas are one of the most unpretentious crops, and the plantain variety is no exception in this regard. Providing proper care is quite simple. Water regularly, but in moderation. The soil surface should be slightly moist; if there is rain, additional moisture is not needed. During the dry period, the plant requires regular watering.
Fertilizing is applied 3 times per season:
- In April, ammonium nitrate or other nitrogen fertilizers are added.
- In early August (when flowering begins) - superphosphates and potassium salt or complex mineral fertilizer.
- At the end of August or beginning of September, you can feed with a similar composition, following the dosage according to the instructions.
Throughout the season, it is recommended to maintain a small layer of mulch, which will ensure long-term conservation of moisture in the soil and also suppress the growth of weeds. It is recommended to loosen the soil once a month - this is especially important for young bushes.
Preparing for winter
Many gardeners believe that there is no need to prune the hosta for the winter, since it will survive the dormant period well, even with foliage. On the other hand, the bush can be trimmed for decorative purposes. To do this, take a pruner and remove all the foliage, leaving only small stumps up to 10 cm in height. This must be done before frost, when all the leaves of the bush have already turned yellow.
The host does not need special feeding for the winter - the last time fertilizer is applied is at the end of August or beginning of September. However, you can provide shock watering (a bucket of water) if the autumn turns out to be dry.
Hosta plantain is not highly winter-hardy, so it is better to cover it additionally for the winter. The roots are mulched with sawdust, spruce branches, peat, laying out a layer of 4-5 cm. It is not necessary to specially cover the plant, especially in the southern regions. But in the middle zone, young bushes (up to 3-4 years old) can be wrapped in burlap or spandbond.
Once all the leaves of Hosta plantain have turned yellow, you can start pruning them for the winter.
Diseases and pests
Plantain hosta is quite resistant to various diseases - it is extremely rarely affected by diseases. If there are signs of fungal infections (powdery mildew, rust, etc.), it should be treated with any fungicide (Skor, Maxim, Bordeaux mixture).
However, the plant is often affected by various pests, and not only insects:
- slugs;
- beetles;
- caterpillars;
- foliar nematodes;
- rodents.
To prevent their invasion, it is necessary to maintain moderate watering, timely application of fertilizers and mulching. Rodents are removed with methylaldehyde or Thunderstorm bait, which is sold in capsules. Slugs and beetles are collected by hand. If pests are detected, they are treated with any insecticide (Karate, Confidor, Actellik and others).
Slug is one of the main pests of plantain hosta.
Conclusion
Hosta plantain is an almost exotic variety that cannot be grown in all regions of Russia. However, the plant takes root well in the middle zone and in the south.It does not bloom regularly, but every year it decorates the garden with its attractive and lush foliage.
