Hosta Purple Dwarf

Hosta 'Purple Dwarf' is a variety that stands out for its very beautiful long and abundant summer flowering. From June to August, numerous tall, elegantly tapered lavender-purple bell-shaped flowers emerge from its compact clump. This deciduous perennial bears lanceolate and highly undulate medium green leaves. Vigorous and fast-growing, this hosta is a deciduous perennial that is very easy to grow in damp and shady conditions. Planting en masse is more interesting to enhance its flowering and unique foliage.

Hosta 'Purple Dwarf' is a hybrid of Japanese origin. This hosta is a hardy deciduous perennial, producing its leafy clump from spring onwards. It belongs to the Asparagaceae family. The plant has a medium growth and forms a dense cushion reaching 25 cm (10in) in height and 50 cm (20in) in width. It is a plant with a good longevity and has elongated oval-shaped leaves that are 13 cm (5in) long and 9 cm (4in) wide, strongly lanceolate and undulate. Its lamina is pleated with 8 to 9 pairs of veins. Very tall flower stalks of about 100 cm (39in) in height emerge from the foliage throughout the summer, bearing clusters of bell-shaped flowers, which are not very fragrant.

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. This variety is slug resistant.

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.