Hosta Tall Boy

'Hosta 'Tall Boy' is a unique variety with a gracefully flared leafy tuft and spectacular upright flowering! This deciduous perennial has lanceolate leaves, deeply veined in a bright satin green, arching towards the ground. It grows into a large, bushy and spreading clump. From August to September, impressive aerial spikes of purple-mauve flowers, 150 to 240cm (59 to 95in) tall, tower above the foliage. This cultivar thrives in moist locations and tolerates sunny exposures well.

'Hosta 'Tall Boy' is a hybrid of H. rectifolia. Also known as Funkia, Hosta is a hardy deciduous perennial, producing its decorative leafy clump every spring to enhance shady areas until winter arrives. It belongs to the asparagus family. With a medium growth rate, 'Hosta 'Tall Boy' forms an upright and spreading bushy clump, reaching 75cm (30in) tall and 100cm (39in) wide. It is a long-lived plant with large, cordate, elongated, pointed leaves measuring about 40cm (16in) long and 23cm (9in) wide. Their blades are plicate with 10 pairs of deep veins. In late summer, flower stems emerge from the variegated foliage, bearing bell-shaped flowers, which are not highly fragrant.

Hostas prefer moist, well-drained and rich soils, and dislike drought and scorching exposures. Avoid planting them in locations exposed to afternoon sun or direct sunlight, as it can burn their leaves. In hotter and drier regions, provide a thick mulch. Hostas, with their generous and decorative foliage, are perfect as ground covers, borders or in partly or fully shaded beds, where other plants struggle to grow. They thrive in sheltered and moist locations such as woodland areas. Varieties with blue and green foliage tolerate dense shade better. The sun tends to make blue leaf colours turn green. Lighter foliage thrives in partial shade, where its colour changes and lightens with increased sunlight. In general, morning sun exposure 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. For varieties with less tough leaves, consider using hemp mulch or gravel mulch, which deter these pests. It's worth noting that frogs and hedgehogs are their natural predators, so their presence is beneficial.

Combine them in masses with other hostas, ferns, delphiniums, Solomon's seal and other low-growing ground cover perennials such as creeping bugleweed, geraniums, and dead nettles. All of them are effective slug repellents. The silvery Brunnera macrophylla Mr Morse, familiar with woodland areas, will be excellent companions. Also consider Heucheras and their wonderful range of colours, or the delicate fairy wings (Epimediums). The golden foliage contrasts beautifully with their red and orange tones. With these combinations, you can enhance shaded and slightly moist areas of the garden, creating a pleasant haven for the summer. Hostas also thrive in containers, which should be placed in partial shade and watered regularly. Hostas complement spring bulbs wonderfully, appearing in late spring, just in time to cover fading plants with their generous foliage! Around a pond, plant them with persicarias, sedges, and astilbes. The blue-green foliage harmonises perfectly with the red and purple foliage of Japanese maples, as well as the golden yellow foliage of Hakonechloa and heucheras.

Did you know?: Most species commonly found in Western gardens were introduced from Japan. Hostas are edible and are called "urui" in Japan, where they are commonly consumed.