Practical
Plants

Hosta ventricosa

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Hosta
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
self fertile
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Apomictic

Uses

Edible uses

Young leaves and leaf stems - cooked. The white part of the stem is boiled[10][11][3].

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.

Odontalgic[12]. The root is used.

Product or use
Odontalgic

Material uses

A good ground cover plant[2], succeeding in dense shade but rather slow to spread[5]. Plants should be spaced about 60cm apart each way[7].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China.
Habitat
Rocky or stony river banks near ponds and lakes[12]. Forests, grassy slopes and hillsides at elevations of 500 - 2400 metres[9].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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[8]. It is best carried out in March as growth commences or in early autumn if the soil is not too dry[6]. 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[6].

Cultivation

Thrives in most fertile soils if they are rich in humus[6]. Grows well in heavy clay soils and in sandy ones[7]. Very limy soils inhibit growth, but plants can thrive in such a situation if plenty of humus is added[7]. Prefers a pH between 6 and 7[6]. 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[6][8]. In general, the sunnier the position the moister the soil should be[8]. 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[7]. Plants flower better when grown in a sunny position but the foliage is better when the plant is in a shady position[6]. 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[8]. A vigorous plant, forming medium to large clumps[6]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[6]. Since this species produces its seed apomictically, it should breed true[6] (unless there is also cross pollination of course). Cultivated for its root (used medicinally) in China[12]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[8]. Plants are very attractive to slugs and snails, the young shoots in spring are especially at risk[111, K]. A number of named forms have been selected for their ornamental value[4].

References

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

    ↩

  2. RHS. The Garden. Volume 111. Royal Horticultural Society 1986-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

  6. 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

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

    ↩

  10. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  11. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩

  12. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

Edit this page