Hosta The Queen

Hosta 'The Queen', rare in cultivation, has one of the most refined variegated foliage. Its foliage is beautiful, composed of large leaves randomly edged and striated with green tones around a more yellow centre. It is adorned with pretty pale lavender-coloured flowers in summer. It is a large but slow-growing hosta, worthy of the attention it will attract. Perfect in a Japanese or exotic garden, this variety is perfect for decorating a small semi-shaded terrace.

Hosta 'The Queen' is a natural mutation of the cultivar Sir Richard. It is a very hardy deciduous and herbaceous plant, with vegetation emerging from the ground in spring. It belongs to the asparagus family. Slow-growing, but with good longevity, this variety forms a clump of leaves reaching about 55cm (22in) in height and 80cm (32in) in width, depending on the growing conditions. Its leaves are heart-shaped, 20cm (8in) long and 15cm (6in) wide, with weakly undulate margins and pointed, tapered tips. Their thick lamina is traversed by deep veins, giving it a slightly plicate appearance. The centre of the lamina varies from chartreuse-green to soft yellow, while the border extends into irregular stripes plunging towards the central vein. In older plants, this border becomes more regular. From the heart of its variegated foliage, flower stalks about 65cm (26in) high, bearing panicles of campanulate bell-shaped flowers, non-fragrant and mauve in colour emerge in July-August.

Hostas like moist, well-drained, humus-rich soils, these plants dislike drought and scorching exposures. A location illuminated by afternoon sun should be avoided, as it can burn the leaves of these perennials. With their generous and decorative foliage, hostas are perfect as ground cover, in borders or shady and moist beds. Mix hostas together and combine them with ferns, Solomon's seal and other lower ground cover perennials such as creeping bugles, lamiums... This planting can enhance the shaded and slightly moist parts of the garden, creating a pleasant haven of cool shade for summer. Hostas also thrive in containers that are carefully placed in semi-shade and watered regularly. Around a pond, plant them with persicarias, carex and astilbes.

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