Practical
Plants

Hosta plantaginae

August Lily

a perennial member of the Hosta genus in the family Funkiaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Hosta
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Spread
1.2 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

One report suggests the plant may be poisonous[4].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Young leaves and leaf stems - cooked[2][3]. One report suggests the plant may be poisonous[4].

Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Stem

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The flowers are said to have anticancer activity[10].

Product or use
Cancer

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

An essential oil is obtained from the leaves, used in perfumery[4]. A useful ground cover plant, succeeding in dense shade, though rather slow spreading[7]. Plants should be spaced about 60cm apart each way[9].

Product or use
Essential

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan.
Habitat
Forests, grassy slopes and rocky places from near sea level to 2200 metres[13].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a lightly shaded position in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 months at 10°c. Make sure you keep the compost moist. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division is possible at almost any time of the year so long as there is sufficient moisture[11]. It is best carried out in March as growth commences or in early autumn if the soil is not too dry[8]. Hostas can be left undivided for many years and should not be divided any more frequently than once every 3 - 5 years to allow the leaves to reach maturity[8].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Thrives in most fertile soils if they are rich in humus[8]. Grows well in heavy clay soils and in sandy ones[9]. Very limy soils inhibit growth, but plants can thrive in such a situation if plenty of humus is added[9]. Prefers a pH between 6 and 7[8]. Requires a rich soil that does not dry out readily[1]. Succeeds in full sun as well as in deep shade, growing well in the semi-shade of a woodland[8][11]. In general, the sunnier the position the moister the soil should be[11]. Plants are best not grown under trees in town gardens since the soot washed from the leaves of the trees in wet weather will tend to remain on the hosta[9]. Plants flower better when grown in a sunny position but the foliage is better when the plant is in a shady position[8]. This species tolerates quite a lot of sun[5]. Plants are in general fully hardy in Britain, but young leaves in spring can be destroyed by frost. New leaves are only produced in the spring and very early summer, so any damage at this time has a deep effect on the plant[11]. The plant forms open clumps[8]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[11]. Plants are very attractive to slugs and snails, the young shoots in spring are especially at risk[111, K]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are some named varieties[5]. The flowers open in the evening[6] and have a delicious lily-like fragrance[11]. The plant only flowers well when grown in a warm position[11], and is not really satisfactory when grown in most areas north of London[12].. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[8].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  3. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  4. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2

  6. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  7. Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-304-31089-1

    ↩

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  9. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  10. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩

  11. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  12. Grenfell. Diana The Gardener's Guide to Growing Hostas David &Charles 1996-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-0431-3

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  13. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

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