Hosta Queen Josephine

'Hosta 'Queen Josephine' is a variety of medium-sized Hosta with beautifully variegated and glossy leaves! They are heart-shaped and heavily veined, with dark green colour and undulating yellow margins that turn creamy white later in the season. Its compact bushy clump is adorned with light lavender flowers from July to August. It is a hardy cultivar that is tolerant of sunlight and has thick leaves that resist slug attacks. Use it in woodland borders, in damp rockeries, or even in pots for smaller gardens. It is a deciduous perennial that prefers shade or partial shade if the soil remains moist, well-drained, and rich.

'Hosta 'Queen Josephine' is a mutation of H. 'Josephine'.  Hosta is a hardy deciduous perennial that produces its leafy clump from spring onwards. It belongs to the asparagus family. This fast-growing plant forms a dense and spreading cushion, reaching 50 cm (20in) in height and 80 cm (32in) in width. It is a long-lived plant that bears thick, glossy, heart-shaped leaves measuring 15 cm (6in) long and 10 cm (4in) wide, with widely undulating margins and pointed tips. Its lamina is pleated by 6 pairs of deep veins. From the centre of its foliage emerge medium-sized flower stalks, 65 cm (26in) in height, bearing clusters of bell-shaped flowers that are lightly scented.

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 as well as the golden yellow foliage of Hakone grasses and heucheras.

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.