Hosta Austin Dickinson

The Hosta 'Austin Dickinson' is a variety with medium-sized leaves, of a dusky glaucous green, creased, widely and irregularly margined with greenish-white. Its lavender-violet summer flowering is highly fragrant and its growth relatively fast. Hostas are very versatile plants and not demanding in terms of light. Plant them in cool, well-drained, and rich soil. An ideal perennial for creating a lush and bright undergrowth!

This Hosta, or Funkia, is a completely hardy perennial, with a compact bushy habit from spring onwards. It belongs to the asparagus or lily family. The plant reaches a height of 40 cm (16in) and a spread of 50 cm (20in). It is a long-lived plant with oval leaves and cordate base, 45 cm (18in) tall and 40 cm (16in) wide, ending in a pointed tip. The lamina is thick and plicate with 8 to 9 pairs of deep veins. From the heart of its variegated foliage emerge in summer fairly tall flower stalks, 70 cm (28in) high, bearing fragrant lavender-violet bell-shaped flowers. The vegetation, deciduous, emerges from the ground in spring and withers in autumn.

Hostas are perfect edging plants for ponds or in mass plantings under trees and bushes, where other plants struggle to grow. Combine them with ferns, delphiniums, Solomon's seals, and other creeping perennial ground covers like bugles. All are highly effective as slug repellents. The Brunnera macrophylla Mr Morse, which are familiar with shady areas, will be excellent companions with their silvery foliage. Also consider Heucheras and their wonderful range of colours, or the delicate flowers of fairy wings (Epimediums). This way, you will enhance the shaded and slightly moist parts of the garden by creating a pleasant haven of freshness for the summer. Hostas also thrive in pots, which should be placed in semi-shade and watered regularly. These perennials go wonderfully well with spring bulbs that appear in late spring, at the perfect time to cover faded plants with their generous foliage!