Hosta Mama Mia

The Hosta 'Mama Mia' is a medium-sized deciduous perennial with exquisite glossy foliage in strong rounded hearts, very deeply veined, dark green with wide and irregular golden yellow margins turning creamy in summer and golden yellow again in autumn! This variety bears tall stems of 60 cm (24in) with beautifully tapered lavender pendulous bells. It is a fast-growing hosta, tolerating direct sunlight well. Morning sun exposure is preferable to achieve a more pronounced change in colour. It is spectacular in pots, as groundcover, in borders or as a low planting in shaded and damp gardens! 

Hosta 'Mama Mia' is a hybrid of 'Jambeliah' which distinguishes itself from H. 'Wide Brim' and H. 'Honeysong' by its more rounded leaves and wider bright margins that turn golden in autumn. This Hosta is a deciduous perennial that is very hardy and only produces its leafy clump in spring. It belongs to the asparagus family. The plant reaches 40 cm (16in) in height and 70 cm (28in) in width. It is a long-lived plant with heavily corrugated, ovate leaves with a cordate base and pointed tips. Its lamina is slightly plicate with 10 pairs of veins. Tall flower spikes emerge from the centre of its variegated foliage, in July-August, carrying clusters of bell-shaped flowers, with little fragrance.

Hostas like damp, well-drained, and rich soils, and they dislike drought and scorching exposure to the sun. A location exposed to afternoon sunlight should be avoided as it can burn the leaves of these perennials. In hotter and drier regions, provide a thick mulch. Hostas, with their generous and decorative foliage, are perfect as groundcover, in borders, or in partially shaded or shaded flower beds, where other plants struggle to grow. They like sheltered and damp locations such as woodlands. Varieties with blue and green foliage tolerate dense shade the best. Sun tends to turn blue colours green. Lighter foliage thrives in partial shade where their colour transforms and lightens with increased sunlight. In general, exposure to morning sunlight allows optimal development of these perennials and also makes them more floriferous. Gastropods (slugs and snails) are particularly fond of these fleshy perennials, so contemporary hybridisations aim to create hostas that are increasingly resistant to their attacks. 

Combine them in mixed groups with other hostas, ferns, delphiniums, Solomon's seals, and other low-growing groundcover perennials such as creeping bugles, geraniums, and lamiums. All of them are very effective as slug repellents. The silver Brunnera macrophylla Mr Morse, familiar to woodland areas, makes an excellent companion. Also consider Heucheras with their wonderful range of colours, or the delicate flowers of Epimediums. The golden foliage contrasts beautifully with their red and orange tones. Hostas also thrive in pots that should be placed in partial shade and watered regularly. Hostas complement spring bulbs, appearing in late spring to cover faded plants with their generous foliage! Plant them around a pond with persicarias, carex, and astilbes. The blue-toned leaves harmonise perfectly with the red and purple foliage of Japanese maples.

Did you know: Most of the species spread in our gardens have been introduced from Japan. Hostas, which are edible, are called urui in Japan, where they are commonly consumed.