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Hosta Mediovariegata (wavy) is a unique ornamental plant. With its help you can landscape and decorate your garden plot or complement a flower arrangement. In order for a perennial to grow well, it is necessary to observe a number of conditions and properly care for the plant.
Description of the wavy hosta Mediovariegata
The variety was bred in Japan in 1930. This fast-growing perennial plant belongs to the lily family.
Externally it is a hemispherical bush. The average height of an adult hosta "Mediovariegata" is 50 cm; the bushes grow to 60-70 cm in width.
Hosta decorates gardens and personal plots with its flowering
"Mediovariegata" is dark green. During the growing season, the host contains a large number of stems and leaves. In spring, before the onset of hot weather, the color of the shoots is dark green. In summer, with abundant sunlight, “Mediovariegata” becomes lighter.
The leaves have a raised, pointed edge. The surface is white in the center, with a green border on the sides. The length of the sheets is up to 15 cm.
In June, less often at the end of May, the plant blooms. As you can see in the photo of the hosta “Mediovariegata”, a large number of light purple flowers appear on the bushes.They have a funnel shape and are supported by long (up to 70 cm) pedicels.
"Mediovariegata" does not create problems in care, is frost-resistant and has an attractive decorative appearance
Hosta "Mediovariegata" is recommended to be grown in a shaded area or in partial shade. The plant is uncomfortable in the sun. Due to abundant lighting, moisture evaporation accelerates, especially in hot weather. A lack of fluid can cause serious damage to the bush, especially during the formation of buds. When there is a lack of moisture, the tips of hosta leaves darken.
"Mediovariegata" is not sensitive to low temperatures. Therefore, it can be grown in any region. The Mediovariegata bush tolerates frost well down to -30 degrees for a long period of time.
Application in landscape design
This hosta variety is very beautiful. Thanks to the unique coloring of the leaves, “Mediovariegatu” can be used as an independent decorative element. Bushes are often planted on lawns, near ponds and fruit trees. The plant will be a good solution for zoning when you need to visually divide the area.
“Mediovariegata” looks good compared to other hosts. The main thing is that the neighboring plants are of the same color.
When planting, hosta is best combined with:
- irises;
- peonies;
- gladioli;
- phlox;
- Heuchera;
- lilies;
- astilbe;
- primroses;
- ferns.
The plant can achieve decorative attractiveness only by the 4th year of life.
Tall ornamental plants should not be planted too close to the hosta, otherwise it may become invisible in the overall composition.
Wavy hosta is ideal for growing in rock gardens. There they should be combined with other low perennials or annual flowers.
Reproduction methods
The most effective method is to divide the bush. From the “dividing” you can get a full-fledged healthy plant the next year, after planting in the ground.
Dividing method:
- Choose a healthy mother bush over 4 years old.
- Dig up the plant.
- Clean the roots from the soil.
- Use a sharp knife or pruning shears to separate a “division” with 3 or more buds.
- Lubricate the cut area with wet sand.
- Return the mother bush to fertilized soil.
It is better to divide hosta bushes in spring and late summer.
For propagation of the wavy hosta "Mediovariegata", the cutting method is suitable. It allows you not to dig up the bush. Hosta can be propagated by seeds, but this process takes a long time and is labor-intensive.
Landing algorithm
Garden stores offer “Mediovariegata” seedlings obtained by division. Before purchasing planting material, you need to carefully inspect it. There should be no areas of rotting, damage or cracks. A prerequisite is the presence of 3 or more kidneys.
Wavy "Mediovariegata" grows well in different types of garden soils. The main condition is a suitable level of humidity and the presence of drainage to prevent fluid stagnation. “Mediovariegata” grows best in soil containing a lot of humus. The optimal acidity level is 5-6 pH.
Planting stages:
- At the selected location, dig a hole 30 cm deep and 40 cm wide.
- Place expanded clay or another drainage layer on the bottom.
- Mix garden soil with a small amount of peat and compost.
- Pour the soil mixture into the hole, leaving 8-10 cm from the surface.
- Place the “division” inside.
- Sprinkle it with soil so that the buds are at a depth of 3-4 cm.
- Water the plant.
Hosta does not do well in sandy or heavy loamy substrates.
You can sprinkle the planting site on top with dry crushed compost or tree bark. With their help, you can prevent premature evaporation of moisture.
“Mediovariegata” is planted in groups of several bushes. For 1 sq. m. there should be no more than 6 bushes.
Growing rules
The plant does not need specific care. A minimum set of measures is possible, which is enough for the hosta to grow well.
The place where the bush is located must be regularly cleared of weeds. This is done manually or using garden tools. Fast-growing weeds with long curly shoots are especially dangerous. They can entangle the hosta, after which it will take a lot of effort to free the bush.
Since "Mediovariegata" is a moisture-loving plant, regular watering is required. It is carried out taking into account climatic conditions. In spring, the bushes are watered with settled water 3-4 times a month. In summer, when the weather is hot and there is no precipitation, the frequency is increased to 2-3 times a week. Each bush requires at least 10 liters of water.
From time to time, “Mediovariegata” needs a sanitary haircut. Fading or discolored leaves and dried shoots are trimmed from bushes.
In spring, the hosta is fed with organic fertilizers. They use compost, humus, peat, tree bark and bird droppings. Organic fertilizing enriches the soil with useful substances over a long period of time. It is not recommended to apply these types of fertilizers in winter.
In early spring, mineral fertilizing is also carried out. To do this, use liquid or granular products containing potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen. Repeated mineral replenishment is carried out in the summer, after flowering, and also in the fall, with the onset of persistent cold weather.
Before planting, the soil must be well dug up with organic fertilizers.
To retain moisture in the soil, mulching is carried out. This procedure is carried out simultaneously with loosening the soil. The depth of processing is at least 8 cm. Tree bark, peat, dry compost and straw are used as mulch. Another option is a mixture of dry leaves, sawdust and hay.
Preparing for winter
In the southern regions, where temperatures rarely fall below -20 °C, preparation for the cold season is not required. In the fall, it is recommended to apply mineral fertilizer and mulch the soil. At the end of October, the foliage is removed from the hosta and the stems are cut, leaving basal shoots 3-5 cm long.
The hosta stem should be trimmed immediately after the end of the flowering phase.
If a cold winter is predicted, it is better to cover the plant. For this, spruce branches and pine branches are used. You can fill the bush with dry leaves, sawdust, straw or hay.
Features of preparing hosta for the winter season:
Diseases and pests
Hostas are practically not susceptible to infectious lesions. Bacterial and fungal diseases are rare. The main reason is improper care or the presence of infected plants in the immediate vicinity.
Common diseases:
- root rot;
- phyllosticosis;
- gray rot;
- rust;
- viral lesions.
During the treatment process, the affected areas of the plant must be removed. The bush, as well as the soil around it, is treated with a fungicide. During the treatment period, watering is temporarily reduced.
Mulching with shell rock and crushed stone can help keep slugs away.
The most common pests of Mediovariegata are aphids, snails, cutworms, slugs and nematodes. They usually appear in dry weather. As a treatment, the hosta, as well as neighboring plants, are sprayed with insecticides. Preventative treatment is recommended every spring.
Conclusion
Hosta mediavariegata is a popular plant used for decorative purposes. This variety has become widespread due to its ease of care, unpretentiousness, and resistance to negative factors. “Mediovariegata” can be grown by both experienced and novice gardeners. This hosta is ideal for landscaping and creating flower arrangements.
