Hosta Morning Light - Plantain Lily

Hosta 'Morning Light' represents, with the distribution of colours on its variegated foliage, the perfect negative of the 'Twilight' variety. It produces a doubly brilliant foliage, with lanceolate foliage, widely maculated with golden yellow in the centre, becoming cream to almost white. On the edge, irregular margins in two shades of green awaken the paleness of the leaves. It is an intermediate-sized variety, with a spreading habit, which offers a lovely lavender flowering in July. Easy to grow and succeed in cool soil, it will bring a fabulous touch of light to the cool areas of the garden. Its thick foliage discourages slugs.

This Hosta, or Funkia, is a completely hardy perennial, having, from spring, a clump-forming habit. It belongs to the family of Asparagaceae. The plant will reach 40cm (16in) in height and 55cm (22in) in flower, spreading over 60cm (24in). It forms a broad clump, much wider than high. It is a long-lived plant, with deciduous foliage, in the shape of very tapered heart, undulated, with faintly visible veins. The lamina is thick and bosselated, mostly golden yellow in juvenile state, then paling to become cream and almost white. Over the days, the light green mixed with green-blue edges will extend to cover more than half of the leaf at ripeness. This thick foliage is resistant to gastropod attacks. The flowering takes place in July-August, in the form of pale lavender bells, pendulous, grouped towards the top of the peduncles which can reach 55cm (22in) in height.

The 'Morning Light' hybrid Hosta will associate well in partial shade with Helxine, ferns, Corydalis, Epimediums and Claytonia sibirica with which it forms beautiful colourful duos that require little maintenance. It will also be advantageous in the company of columbines and tall digitalis or small violets. All hostas grow well in pots and can remain in the same container for several years. A special geranium potting soil should be chosen and used during the growing season. As long as the foliage is not too dense, watering can be done from above the pot. Then place a saucer under the pot where you will pour water, maintaining a constant level in summer.

Most of the species spread in Western gardens have been introduced from Japan. Edible, hostas are called urui in Japan where they are commonly consumed.