Hosta Cliffords Forest Fire

The Hosta 'Clifford's Forest Fire' displays broad foliage, closely resembling that of the 'Liberty' variety, but with finer margins along the edges of its leaf blades. The young heart-shaped leaves are glaucous-green to bluish in the centre, irregularly edged with chartreuse green. As summer arrives, the edges take on a pale blonde to cream hue, while light lavender bell-shaped spikes appear. This variety reaches a good size and eventually forms generous clumps with an upright and spreading habit, its thick foliage deterring slugs. It is robust, easy to grow and succeeds in moist soil, ideal for partial shade, and makes beautiful combinations with perennials, spring bulbs or even bushes.

This Hosta, or Funkia, is a completely hardy perennial, forming wide and spreading clumps from spring onwards. It belongs to the lily family or the hosta family. The plant, derived from the 'Sagae' hosta, will reach a height of 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20in) and 65 cm (26in) when flowering, spreading at least 50 cm (20in) after several years of cultivation. It forms a generous clump, wider than it is tall. It is a long-lived plant with large deciduous heart-shaped leaves, ending in a tiny pointed cilium, with visible veins. The lamina is thick and wrinkled, supple, and filled with water. The edges of the juvenile leaves change color and lighten when mature. This thick foliage is quite resistant to gastropod attacks. The flowering takes place in July-August, in the form of small pale lavender pendant bell-shaped flowers, clustered towards the top of the 65 cm (26in) tall peduncles.

The 'Clifford's Forest Fire' Hosta will associate well with many perennials in partial shade, such as astilbes, ferns, epimediums, and Claytonia sibirica, with which it forms beautiful colorful duos that require little maintenance. It will also look great alongside columbines and tall foxgloves or small violets. It can also be paired with semi-shade bushes such as Mexican orange blossoms, variegated hollies, and azaleas. All hostas grow well in pots and can remain in the same container for several years. Choose a special geranium potting soil to use during the growing season. As long as the foliage is not too dense, watering from the top of the pot is possible. Then place a saucer under the pot where you will pour water, keeping the level constant in summer.

Most species found in Western gardens have been introduced from Japan. Hostas are edible and are commonly known as 'urui' in Japan, where they are regularly consumed.