Hosta Warwick Edge

Hosta 'Warwick Edge' is a medium-sized variety that is particularly vigorous and fast-growing! It has a compact clump of heart-shaped leaves in a medium green colour, finely margined with cream white. From July to August, it produces light lavender flowers that just surpass its ornamental foliage in height. Easy to grow, the hosta is naturally a shade-loving perennial but can also tolerate sunnier locations as long as it doesn't lack moisture in the soil. This cultivar is suitable for versatile use, whether it's in borders, woodland beds, or in a container in a garden with limited space and light.

Hosta 'Warwick Edge' is a hosta from the famous Warwick lineage and is a cross between H. 'William Lachman' and a Nakaiana hybrid. Hosta, also known as Funkia, is a deciduous perennial that is very hardy, producing its decorative leafy clump every spring to enhance shady areas until winter arrives. It belongs to the asparagus family. Hosta 'Warwick Edge' forms a very small, compact bushy clump, reaching 30cm (12in) tall by 60cm (24in) wide. It is a long-lived plant with moderately thick, ovate cordate leaves with a flat base and slightly undulate margins. Their laminae are pleated by not very deep veins. From the heart of its variegated foliage, erect flower stalks emerge in mid-summer, reaching about 35cm (14in) tall and bearing racemes of bell-shaped flowers, lightly scented.

Hostas prefer moist, well-drained, and rich soils, and they dislike drought and scorching exposures. A location exposed to the afternoon sun or direct sun is to 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 covers, borders, or in semi-shaded to shaded flower 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 transforms and lightens with increased sunlight. In general, exposure to morning sun 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 mineral mulch such as gravel, which will deter these pests. It is worth knowing that frogs and hedgehogs are their natural predators, so their presence is beneficial for the ecological balance of the garden.

Combine them in groups with other hostas, ferns, delphiniums, Solomon's seal, and other low-growing ground cover perennials such as creeping bugles, geraniums, and lamiums. They are all very effective as slug repellents. The silver-leaved Brunnera macrophylla Mr Morse, which is familiar to woodland areas, will be excellent company. Also consider Heucheras and their fantastic range of colors, or the delicate fairy wings (Epimediums). The golden foliage contrasts wonderfully with their red and orange tones. With these combinations you can enhance shaded and slightly damp parts of the garden, creating a pleasant haven for the summer. Hostas also thrive in containers that should be placed in partial shade and watered regularly. Hostas pair wonderfully with spring bulbs that appear in late spring, just in time to cover faded plants with their generous foliage! Plant them around a pond with persicarias, carex, and astilbes. The blue foliage harmonises perfectly with the red and purple foliage of Japanese maples, as well as the golden yellow foliage of Hakonechloa grasses 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.