Hosta Unforgettable

Hosta 'Unforgettable' is a medium-sized cultivar that stands out for its flared silhouette and the unruly appearance of its strongly textured foliage! Its leaves are glossy, oval, veined, and deeply crinkled with slightly wavy margins. Their dark green colour contrasts intensely with a very irregular golden-yellow variegation, starting from the leaf edges. From July to August, this perennial produces upright lavender flower spikes. It is a very vigorous cultivar, exceptionally slug-resistant, and tolerant of sunny exposure. It is ideal for borders or woodland beds. To achieve vibrant colours, plant it in a location exposed to morning sun in well-drained, moist, average to rich soil.

Hosta 'Unforgettable' is a mutation of a hybrid resulting from cross-breeding between H. 'Gold Regal' and a seedling of H. 'Gold Tokudama'. The Hosta, or Funkia, is a deciduous perennial, very hardy, only producing its leafy clump in spring. It belongs to the asparagus family. With an average growth rate, the Hosta 'Unforgettable' forms a cushion of foliage with a compact semi-upright bushy habit, reaching 50cm (20in) in height and 70cm (28in) in spread. It is a long-lived plant with thick, cordate-based, heavily crinkled leaves with wavy margins, forming slightly cupped shapes about 20cm (8in) tall and 18cm (7in) wide, with pointed tips. Its lamina is pleated with 12 pairs of very deep veins. From the centre of its variegated foliage, in mid-summer, emerge flower stems about 80 to 90cm (32 to 35in) tall, bearing racemes of bell-shaped flowers, lightly scented.

Hostas like moist, well-drained, and rich soils, disliking drought and scorching exposures. A location lit by afternoon sun 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 ground cover, borders, or in partly shaded to shaded beds, where other plants struggle to grow. They like sheltered and moist locations such as woodlands. Blue and green foliage varieties tolerate dense shade better. Sun tends to make blue leaf colours turn green. Lighter foliage thrives in partial shade, where its colour transforms and lightens with increasing 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.

Combine them in masses with other hostas, ferns, delphiniums, Solomon's seals, and other low-growing ground cover perennials like bugleweeds, geraniums, and lamiums. All are very effective as slug repellents. The silvery Brunnera macrophylla Mr Morse, which is familiar to woodlands, makes an excellent companion. Also consider Heucheras and their fantastic range of colours, or the delicate flowers of Epimediums. The golden foliage contrasts wonderfully with their red and orange tones. This will enhance the shaded and slightly damp areas of the garden, creating a pleasant haven for summer. Hostas also thrive in pots that should be placed in partial shade and watered regularly. Hostas pair beautifully with spring bulbs that appear in late spring, providing the perfect cover for faded plants with their generous foliage! Around a pond, plant them with persicarias, carex, and astilbes. Their blue foliage harmonises perfectly with the red and purple foliage of Japanese maples.

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