Hostas, also known as Plantain Lily and Funkia, are grown mainly for their attractive foliage, which comes in a wide range of textures and colors including green, green variegated with white, cream or yellow, blue green, golden yellow and greenish-yellow. Many Hostas produce lovely spikes of tubular-, trumpet- or bell-shaped flowers in different shades of purple or white, some of which are very fragrant. The larger, clump-forming varieties make excellent ground cover. The height ranges between the varieties from 6 inches to 31/2 feet. These perennials are natives to eastern Asia. Hosta undulata var. univittata has narrowly oval leaves with twisted tips. They are about 6 inches long and are medium green with a white central blotch. In mid-summer, spikes of pale mauve flowers grow. Hosta 'Love Pat' has dark glaucous blue, cupped and deeply puckered leaves that grow up to 6 inches long. Its pale lilac flowers are borne in the summer. Hosta 'Golden Prayers' has vibrant golden-yellow, heart-shaped leaves that are cupped and puckered. In mid-summer, compact heads of lavender and white flowers are produced. This plant is well suited to a rock garden since it only grows up to 6 inches high with a 12-inch spread. Other types will be mentioned below in the varieties section.

Hostas prefer partial shade, but will tolerate full shade. Plant them in moist, but well drained, humus-rich, neutral soil. Make sure to protect the leaves against slug and snail damage.

These plants are easily increased by division in early spring. Seeds may also be sown in a shaded frame in light soil in early summer. They may be planted out the following spring.

Hosta Fortunei & var. albopicta, aureomarginata;
Hosta lancifolia;
Hosta Sieboldiana & var. elegans, kabitan;
Hosta undulata & var. univittata, albomarginata;
Hosta caerulea;
Hosta plantaginea;
Hosta decorata;
Hosta crispula;
Hosta'Ginko Craig';
Hosta 'Shade Fanfare';
Hosta 'Ground Master';
Hosta 'Regal Splendor';
Hosta rohdeifolia;
Hosta 'Haleyon';
Hosta 'Snowden';
Hosta 'Krossa Regal';
Hosta 'Blue Wedgewood';
Hosta tokudama aureonebulosa;
Hosta 'Love Pat';
Hosta 'Hadspen Blue';
Hosta tardiflora;
Hosta plantaginea;
Hosta ventricosa & var. aureomarginata, aureomaculata;
Hosta 'Tall Boy';
Hosta 'Royal Standard';
Hosta 'Honeybells';
Hosta venusta;
Hosta 'August Moon';
Hosta 'Blue Skies';
Hosta 'Frances William';
Hosta montana;
Hosta 'Golden Tiara';
Hosta 'Piedmont Gold';
Hosta 'Wide Brim';
Hosta 'Birchwood Parky's Gold';
Hosta 'Gold Standard';
Hosta 'Golden Prayers';
Hosta 'Sum and Substance'.