Hosta tardiana El Niño

Hosta tardiana El Niño is a shade loving perennial with bluish-green foliage edged in white. This medium-sized variety bears lilac flowers in the heart of summer.

Hostas are deciduous herbaceous perennials that reproduce from rhizomes and stolons. They differ in size, texture, and colour. Originally from East Asia, they were first brought back from Japan and then Korea. But these Liliaceae can also be found in northern China and eastern Siberia. They are also commonly called Funkia or Plantain Lily because of their foliage.
Excellent plants for partial shade, they are cultivated for their highly decorative basal foliage. The bluish-green foliage edged in white of Hosta tardiana El Niño is deeply veined and heart-shaped, measuring an average of 15cm (6in). This variety spreads to a width of 40cm (16in), making it an excellent ground cover. From July to August, a series of long stems towering over the leafy clump bear a terminal cluster of slightly pendulous lilac flowers measuring 2 to 3cm (1in). Despite their resemblance to lily flowers, they are completely odourless. Hostas prefer rich loamy soils, even heavy clay soils, as long as they remain slightly moist. If they are happy, they will stay in place for years without requiring any special care.

Pair them with the gold of Geranium phaeum Margaret Wilson, with wild garlic, the old rose colours of Digitalis mertonensis, or the purple-fronded fern Athyrium niponicum Pictum. All of them are highly effective as slug repellents. Hakonechloa macra Aureola and Brunnera macrophylla Mr Morse, both familiar with woodland areas, will be excellent companions. Also consider the Heucheras and their fantastic range of colours, or the delicate fairy wings (Epimediums). With these combinations you can enhance the shaded and slightly damp areas of the garden by creating a pleasant haven for the summer. Hostas also thrive in pots, which should be placed in partial shade and watered regularly.
Good to know: the lighter the leaves of hostas, the more they tolerate sun. Dark leaves, especially blue ones, are more sensitive and heat causes them to lose the waxy coating responsible for their colour. A few hours of partial sunlight per day are more than enough for these plants that prefer partial shade rather than full shade. In fact, without a minimum amount of sunlight, they will not flower. It would be a shame to miss out on these magnificent flowers! The challenge is to find a harmonious compromise between light and darkness.