Hosta 'Elegans' Plantain Lily

Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit

Hosta 'Elegans' Plantain Lily is a captivating perennial that brings three seasons of interest to your garden. With its large, fragrant foliage and stunning blooms, this herbaceous rhizomatous plant is an excellent choice for any shaded garden space.

The Hosta 'Elegans' stands out with its striking ornamental foliage. The massive, heart-shaped leaves, reaching up to 13 x 10 inches, emerge in spring with a smoky blue hue. As the season progresses, the leaves mature into thick, heavily corrugated, and gently cupped forms that add texture and depth to garden beds and borders.

In addition to its impressive foliage, Hosta 'Elegans' also produces fragrant, funnel-shaped white flowers tinged with violet. These blooms, which appear on scapes that can reach up to 36 inches tall, attract butterflies and hummingbirds, making this hosta a lively addition to your garden. The blooms are also perfect for cutting and adding a fragrant touch to floral arrangements.

Hosta 'Elegans' is a variety of Hosta sieboldiana, commonly known as hosta or plantain lily, and showcases a symmetrical mounding habit with a slow growth rate. Its lineage traces back to the fragrant species Hosta plantaginea, ensuring both beauty and a delightful scent. This hosta thrives in groupings in beds and borders, but it's equally striking as a specimen or container plant and works wonderfully as an edging plant.

Cold hardy to Zone 4 Zone 4, Hosta 'Elegans' is easy to grow and low maintenance, making it a favorite among gardeners. Plant the bulbs 3 to 4 feet apart and 1.5 to 2 inches deep in a partially shady to shady location with rich, moist, well-draining soil. While this hosta can tolerate a variety of soil types, it prefers an acidic to neutral pH. A bit of morning or dappled sunlight can enhance the blue color of the leaves, but too much sun should be avoided. Consistent watering is essential, and for best results, apply a winter mulch and a spring dose of Espoma Organic® Bulb-tone® Bulb and Flower Food.

For tips on creating a stunning spring bulb garden, check out our blog post on How to Plant a Spring Bulb Garden. And don't forget to visit our Bulb Supplies page for all the tools and products you'll need to get started.