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perennial

Long Leaf Hosta

Hosta longissima

 

 
Long Leaf Hosta (Hosta longissima) at Tagawa Greenhouse

Long Leaf Hosta

Long Leaf Hosta

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Plant Height:  4 inches

Flower Height:  6 inches

Spacing:  10 inches

Sunlight:  partial shade  full shade 

Hardiness Zone:  3a

Other Names:  Plantain Lily, Funkia

Description:

Lovely mounds of green, strap-like foliage create the perfect background for shaded borders and gardens; violet-lilac flowers appear on arching scapes during the mid summer; adds texture and contrast; low maintenance and easy to grow

Ornamental Features

Long Leaf Hosta features dainty spikes of fragrant lavender tubular flowers rising above the foliage in late summer. Its attractive small textured sword-like leaves remain green in color throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

Long Leaf Hosta is a dense herbaceous perennial with tall flower stalks held atop a low mound of foliage. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting hummingbirds to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

  • Insects

Long Leaf Hosta is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Mass Planting
  • Border Edging
  • General Garden Use
  • Groundcover

Planting & Growing

Long Leaf Hosta will grow to be only 4 inches tall at maturity extending to 6 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 12 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 10 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This species is not originally from North America. It can be propagated by division.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Massing  Edging  Garden  Groundcover 
Applications
Flowers  Foliage Color  Texture  Plant Form  Attracts Wildlife 
Ornamental Features