Hosta

Hostas are herbaceous perennial plants, growing from rhizomes which are sometimes stoloniferous,{{cite web|url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=115795|title=Hosta in Flora of North America @ efloras.org}} with broad lanceolate or ovate leaves varying widely in size by species from {{cvt|1|–|18|in|cm}} long and {{cvt|0.75|–|12|in|cm|0}} broad. The smallest varieties are called miniatures. Variation among the numerous cultivars is even greater, with clumps ranging from less than {{cvt|4|in|cm}} across and {{cvt|3|in|cm}} high to more than {{cvt|6|ft|m}} across and {{cvt|4|ft|m}} high. Leaf color in wild species is typically green, although some species (e.g., H. sieboldiana) are known for a glaucous waxy leaf coating that gives a blue appearance to the leaf. Some species have a glaucous white coating covering the underside of the leaves. Natural mutations of native species are known with yellow-green ("gold") colored leaves or with leaf variegation (either white/cream or yellowish edges or centers). Variegated plants very often give rise to sports which are the result of the reshuffling of cell layers during bud formation, producing foliage with mixed pigment sections. In seedlings variegation is generally maternally derived by chloroplast transfer and is not a genetically inheritable trait.

The flowers of hosta are produced on upright scapes that are woody and remain on the plant throughout winter, they are generally taller than the leaf mound, and end in terminal racemes.{{cite book|author=Wolfram George Schmid|title=The Genus Hosta|year=1991|publisher=Timber Press|isbn=978-0-88192-201-1|page=393}} The individual flowers are usually pendulous, {{cvt|0.75|–|2|in|cm}} long, with six tepals,{{cite book|author=Klaus Kubitzki|title=Flowering Plants. Monocotyledons: Lilianae (except Orchidaceae)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FyPVYzL76sMC&pg=PA256|date=27 August 1998|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=978-3-540-64060-8|pages=256–}} white, lavender, or violet in color and usually scentless. The only strongly fragrant species is Hosta plantaginea, which has white flowers up to {{cvt|4|in|cm}} long; it is also unusual in that the flowers open in the evening and close by morning. The species blooms in late summer and is sometimes known as "August Lily".{{Cite book |last=Holmes |first=Roger |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sWrSM-4CoLoC&pg=PA404 |title=Taylor's Master Guide to Gardening |date=2001-10-18 |publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt |isbn=978-0-618-15907-9 |language=en}}

Taxonomists differ on the number of Hosta species; there may be as many as 45.{{cite web|url=http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=115795|title=Hosta in Flora of China @ efloras.org}} Accordingly, the list of species given here may be taken loosely. The genus may be broadly divided into three subgenera. Interspecific hybridization occurs since all the species have the same chromosome number (2n = 2x = 60); except H. ventricosa which is a natural tetraploid that sets seed through apomixis. Many cultivated hostas formerly described as species have been reduced to cultivars; the names of these are often conserved and retain Latinised names which resemble species names (e.g., Hosta 'Fortunei').

Accepted species{{Cite web |url=http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=278400 |title=Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families |access-date=2014-10-15 |archive-date=2022-09-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220909134013/http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=278400 |url-status=dead }} as of July 2021:

1. Hosta × alismifolia – Honshu
2. Hosta × tardiva

File:Hosta33.jpg

Hostas are widely cultivated, being particularly useful in the garden as shade-tolerant plants whose striking foliage provides a focal point. The plants are long-lived perennials that are winter hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 8 and recommended for heat zones 8 to 1.{{cite book|author=Jim Wilson|title=Bulletproof Flowers for the South|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Qvw2AgAAQBAJ&pg=PA77|date=1 October 1999|publisher=Taylor Trade Publishing|isbn=978-1-4617-0855-1|pages=77–}} Though Hosta plantaginea originates in China, most of the species that provide the modern plants were introduced from Japan to Europe by Philipp Franz von Siebold in the mid-19th century originating from shady locations with more moisture than they are generally cultivated.{{cite book|author1=Diana Grenfell|author2=Michael Shadrack|title=The New Encyclopedia of Hostas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ln6I0gCok_0C&pg=PA14|date=23 January 2010|publisher=Timber Press|isbn=978-0-88192-960-7|pages=14–}} Newer species have been discovered on the Korean peninsula as well. Hybridization within and among species and cultivars has produced numerous cultivars. The American Hosta Society is the International Cultivar Registration Authority for Hosta, and recognizes over 7,200 registered or reserved names.{{cite web |url=http://www.hostaregistrar.org/search.php |title=The Hosta Treasury |publisher=American Hosta Society |access-date=12 October 2023}}

Cultivars with golden- or white-variegated leaves are especially prized.{{citation needed|date=June 2017}} Popular cultivars include 'Francee' (green leaves with white edges), 'Gold Standard' (yellow leaves with green edges, discovered by Pauline Banyai) 'Undulata' (green leaves with white centers), 'June' (blue-green leaves with creamy centers), and 'Sum and Substance' (a huge plant with chartreuse-yellow leaves). Newer, fragrant cultivars including 'Guacamole' are also popular.

The American Hosta Society{{cite web|url=http://www.hosta.org|title=American Hosta Society (AHS)}} and the British Hosta and Hemerocallis Society{{cite web|url=http://www.hostahem.org.uk|title=HOME page of the British Hosta and Hemerocallis Society}} support hosta display gardens, often within botanical gardens. Hostas are frequently exhibited at major shows like the Chelsea Flower Show.

Here is a list of cultivars that have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:

{{div col|colwidth=15em}}

• ‘Allegan Fog’{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/192985/i-Hosta-i-Allegan-Fog-(v)/Details

| title = RHS Plantfinder – Hosta 'Allegan Fog' | access-date = 7 March 2018}}

• 'Aureomarginata' (ventricosa){{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector – Hosta 'Aureomarginata' (ventricosa)|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/68385/Hosta-Aureomarginata-(ventricosa)-(v)/Details | access-date=23 February 2020}}
• 'Blue Angel' (sieboldiana){{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector – Hosta 'Blue Angel' (sieboldiana)|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/67486/i-Hosta-i-Blue-Angel-%28-i-sieboldiana-i-%29/Details|access-date=5 August 2015}}
• ’Blue Mouse Ears’{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/208880/i-Hosta-i-Blue-Mouse-Ears/Details

| title = RHS Plantfinder – Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' | access-date = 7 March 2018}}

• ‘Christmas Tree’{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/44888/i-Hosta-i-Christmas-Tree-(v)/Details

| title = RHS Plantfinder – Hosta 'Christmas Tree' | access-date = 7 March 2018}}

• ’Cracker Crumbs’{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/209351/i-Hosta-i-Cracker-Crumbs-(v)/Details

| title = RHS Plantfinder – Hosta 'Cracker Crumbs' | access-date = 7 March 2018}}

• ’Devon Green’{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/73472/i-Hosta-i-Devon-Green/Details

| title = RHS Plantfinder – Hosta 'Devon Green' | access-date = 7 March 2018}}

• ‘El Niño’ (Tardiana Group){{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/193777/i-Hosta-i-(Tardiana-Group)-El-Nino-sup-(PBR)-sup-(v)/Details | title = RHS Plantfinder – Hosta 'El Niño' | access-date = 7 March 2018}}
• ‘Fire Island’{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/210814/i-Hosta-i-Fire-Island/Details

| title = RHS Plantfinder – Hosta 'Fire Island' | access-date = 7 March 2018}}

• ’First Frost’{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/222188/i-Hosta-i-First-Frost-(v)/Details

| title = RHS Plantfinder – Hosta 'First Frost' | access-date = 7 March 2018}}

• 'Francee' (fortunei){{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector – Hosta' 'Francee' (fortunei'')|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/71683/Hosta-Francee-(fortunei)-(v)/Details | access-date=23 February 2020}}
• 'Frances Williams'{{cite web|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/90814/Hosta-Frances-Williams-(sieboldiana)-(v)/Details|title=Hosta 'Frances Williams' (sieboldiana) (v)}}
• 'Golden Tiara'{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector – Hosta 'Golden Tiara'|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/96811/Hosta-Golden-Tiara-(v)/Details | access-date=23 February 2020}}
• 'Halcyon' (tardiana){{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector – Hosta (Tardiana Group) 'Halcyon'|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/91303/Hosta-(Tardiana-Group)-Halcyon/Details | access-date=23 February 2020}}
• H. fortunei var. aureomarginata{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector – Hosta fortunei var. aureomarginata|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/69718/Hosta-fortunei-var-aureomarginata-(v)/Details | access-date=23 February 2020}}
• H. plantaginea var. japonica{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector – Hosta plantaginea var. japonica|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/58129/Hosta-plantaginea-var-japonica/Details | access-date=23 February 2020}}
• H. sieboldiana var. elegans{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector – Hosta sieboldiana var. elegans|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/99289/Hosta-sieboldiana-var-elegans/Details | access-date=23 February 2020}}
• H. undulata var. undulata{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector – Hosta undulata var. undulata|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/99289/Hosta-sieboldiana-var-elegans/Details | access-date=23 February 2020}}
• H. ventricosa{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector – Hosta ventricosa|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/8838/Hosta-ventricosa/Details | access-date=23 February 2020}}
• H. venusta{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector – Hosta venusta|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/8840/Hosta-venusta/Details | access-date=23 February 2020}}
• 'June' (tardiana){{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector – Hosta (Tardiana Group) 'June'|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/51451/Hosta-(Tardiana-Group)-June-(PBR)-(v)/Details | access-date=23 February 2020}}
• 'Krossa Regal'{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector – Hosta 'Krosse Regal'|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/94097/Hosta-Krossa-Regal/Details | access-date=23 February 2020}}
• ’Liberty’{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/193012/i-Hosta-i-Liberty-sup-(PBR)-sup-(v)/Details

| title = RHS Plantfinder – Hosta 'Liberty' | access-date = 7 March 2018}}

• ’Orange Marmalade’{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/209390/i-Hosta-i-Orange-Marmalade-(v)/Details

| title = RHS Plantfinder – Hosta 'Orange Marmalade' | access-date = 7 March 2018}}

• ’Paradise Puppet’{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/127167/i-Hosta-i-Paradise-Puppet-(-i-venusta-i-)/Details

| title = RHS Plantfinder – Hosta 'Paradise Puppet' | access-date = 7 March 2018}}

• ’Patriot’{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/64893/i-Hosta-i-Patriot-(v)/Details

| title = RHS Plantfinder – Hosta 'Patriot' | access-date = 7 March 2018}}

• ’Paul’s Glory’{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/66046/i-Hosta-i-Paul-s-Glory-(v)/Details

| title = RHS Plantfinder – Hosta 'Paul's Glory' | access-date = 7 March 2018}}

• ’Praying Hands’{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/193017/i-Hosta-i-Praying-Hands-(v)/Details

| title = RHS Plantfinder – Hosta 'Praying Hands' | access-date = 7 March 2018}}

• ’Revolution’{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/162011/i-Hosta-i-Revolution-sup-(PBR)-sup-(v)/Details

| title = RHS Plantfinder – Hosta 'Revolution' | access-date = 7 March 2018}}

• 'Royal Standard'{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector – Hosta 'Royal Standard'|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/91937/Hosta-Royal-Standard/Details | access-date=23 February 2020}}
• 'Sagae'{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector – Hosta 'Sagae'|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/47479/Hosta-Sagae-(v)/Details | access-date=23 February 2020}}
• ’Shining Tot’{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/57208/i-Hosta-i-Shining-Tot/Details

| title = RHS Plantfinder – Hosta 'Shining Tot' | access-date = 7 March 2018}}

• ’Stained Glass’{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/212303/i-Hosta-i-Stained-Glass-(v)/Details

| title = RHS Plantfinder – Hosta 'Stained Glass' | access-date = 7 March 2018}}

• 'Sum and Substance'{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector – Hosta 'Sum and Substance'|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/85672/Hosta-Sum-and-Substance/Details | access-date=23 February 2020}}
• ’Touch of Class’{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/198950/i-Hosta-i-Touch-of-Class-sup-(PBR)-sup-(v)/Details

| title = RHS Plantfinder – Hosta 'Touch of Class' | access-date = 7 March 2018}}

• ’Whirlwind’{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/118021/i-Hosta-i-Whirlwind-(-i-fortunei-i-)-(v)/Details

| title = RHS Plantfinder – Hosta 'Whirlwind' | access-date = 7 March 2018}}

• 'Wide Brim'{{cite web|title=RHS Plant Selector – Hosta 'Wide Brim'|url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/40754/Hosta-Wide-Brim-(v)/Details | access-date=23 February 2020}}

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While usually grown for ornamental purposes, all species of hosta are edible, and are grown as vegetables in some Asian cultures.{{cite web|title=Bacon-Wrapped Hosta?|url=http://www.startribune.com/bacon-wrapped-hosta-the-perennial-plant-is-edible/375040231/|publisher=Star Tribune|access-date=6 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409172101/http://www.startribune.com/bacon-wrapped-hosta-the-perennial-plant-is-edible/375040231/|archive-date=9 April 2016}} However, hostas may be toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if consumed in large quantities because some contain saponins.{{cite book|author=Anthony Knight|title=A Guide to Poisonous House and Garden Plants|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y4ebBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA139|date=1 January 2007|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-1-4822-4104-4|pages=139–}} Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea.{{cite web|title=Hosta|url=http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/hosta|publisher=American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals|access-date=9 July 2014}}

File:Moonlightvar.jpg

Hosta leaves and stems are eaten by deer, rabbits, slugs, and snails. The roots and rhizomes are eaten by voles. All of these animals can cause extensive damage to collections in gardens. Some varieties seem more resistant to slug damage, which is more prevalent later in the growing season, than others. Insect pests include vine weevils and cutworms.{{cite book|author1=Diana Grenfell|author2=Michael Shadrack|title=The New Encyclopedia of Hostas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ln6I0gCok_0C&pg=PA46|year=2009|publisher=Timber Press|isbn=978-0-88192-960-7|pages=46–}}

Foliar nematodes, which leave streaks of dead tissue between veins, have become an increasing problem where pesticide use has decreased.{{citation needed|date=September 2012}} A potexvirus called 'Hosta Virus X' was first identified in Minnesota in 1996. Plants which are infected are destroyed to prevent its spread as the disease can be transmitted from plant to plant by contaminated sap. Symptoms include dark green "ink bleed" marks in the veins of yellow-colored leaves, and/or tissue collapse between veins. It can take years for symptoms to show, so symptomless plants in infected batches should also be considered infected.{{cite web |title=Hosta virus X (Potexvirus) |url=http://www.eppo.int/QUARANTINE/Alert_List/viruses/HVX.htm |publisher=eppo.int (European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization) |access-date=5 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924002016/http://www.eppo.int/QUARANTINE/Alert_List/viruses/HVX.htm |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |last=Lewandowski |first=Dennis J. |date=2008 |title=Hosta Virus X |url=http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/3000/pdf/3069.pdf |publisher=The Ohio State University |pages=1–3 |access-date=5 August 2015}}

Other viruses which infect hosta include: Tomato Ringspot Virus, Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus, Tobacco Rattle Virus, Cucumber Mosaic Virus and several unidentified viruses.{{cite web|url=https://www.uaex.edu/publications/pdf/FSA-7548.pdf|title=Hosta Virus X|publisher=University of Arkansas |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919100914/https://www.uaex.edu/publications/PDF/FSA-7548.pdf |archive-date=2020-09-19}} Fungal diseases which affect hosta include: crown rot caused by Fusarium hostae.{{cite book|author=P. Narayanasamy|title=Soilborne Microbial Plant Pathogens and Disease Management, Volume Two: Management of Crop Diseases|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zZWzDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT62|date=8 October 2019|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-0-429-60338-9|pages=62–}}{{cite journal |last1=Geiser |first1=David M. |last2=Juba |first2=Jean H. |last3=Wang |first3=Bo |last4=Jeffers |first4=Steven N. |title=Fusarium hostae sp. nov., a Relative of F. redolens with a Gibberella Teleomorph |journal=Mycologia |date=2001 |volume=93 |issue=4 |pages=670–678 |doi=10.2307/3761821 |jstor=3761821 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3761821 |access-date=14 September 2021|url-access=subscription }} It causes stunting and late emergence of the plants, leaf chlorosis, browning and necrosis.{{clear right}}

{{Reflist|35em}}

• {{cite book | author=Pink, A. | url=https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/11892|title=Gardening for the Million| year=2004 | publisher=Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation}}

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{{EB1911 Poster|Funkia}}

• [http://www.hosta.org American Hosta Society]
• [http://hostalibrary.org/ Hosta Library] 17000 Hosta Photographs, articles, and a hosta auction
• [http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/plant2/EP132.pdf{{dead link|date=November 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Hosta Virus X, Kansas State University]{{Dead link|date=November 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• [http://cubits.org/Hostas/ HOSTAS Cubit (ID, Hybridizing, Sources databases; forums)]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160707055202/http://www.danskhostaselskab.dk/ Danish Hosta Society]
• [http://www.pfaf.org/user/default.aspx Plants for a Future] Descriptions (from a Western perspective) of the edibility of several species
• [http://www.hostalists.org/index.php Hosta Lists and Hosta Garden Themes] Don Rawson's hosta lists, containing over 22,000 entries in 102 lists

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Category:Garden plants

Category:Asparagaceae genera