Hosta (Tardiana Group) 'June' (PBR)
plantain lily
- Position: partial or full shade
- Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: average to fast-growing
- Flowering period: July and August
- Hardiness:
fully hardy
This is a real showstopper. Its heart-shaped, leaves are splashed with lime green and initially have a blue-grey wash, which gradually fades as the leaves mature throughout the summer. In July it produces spikes of lavender-grey trumpet-shaped flowers. It's a variegated sport of Hosta 'Halcyon' and makes a flourish at the front of a shady border, sheltered from cold, drying winds, or on its own in a container. The foliage is also invaluable for softening the edges of hard landscaping. Once established, its layers of leaves will suppress weeds, too. - Garden care: You'll get thicker, lusher leaves if you give your hostas a really good feed. An annual mulch in spring or autumn will help to keep the weeds down and is an easy way to improve soil and boost nutrient levels. Add a generous mulch of about 5-10cm (2-4in) deep of garden compost or leaf mould around the plant. Spraying the leaves regularly with a high nitrogen fertiliser during the growing season will also help to boost leaf size. Slugs and snails love hostas, so you will need to protect against them. Use an organic nematode treatment in early spring to ward off slugs. Or simply stick to a container.
Water your hostas well as soon as you plant them and from then on water regularly during their first growing season. Give them a water about once or twice a week around the base of the plant, avoiding the leaves. Little and often can be disatrous as it encourages the plant to produce roots closer to the surface in a desperate quest for moisture.
Dryopteris filix-mas
male fern
Ideal for the woodland garden
Polystichum setiferum
soft shield fern
A large, evergreen fern
Polygonatum × hybridum
common Solomon's seal (Syn. Polygonatum multiflorum)
Creamy white flowers blue-black berries
Jungle
The trick to achieving the tropical effect is good preparation and dense planting, vivid foliage, fiery flowers and striking contrasts. The jungle garden is a place for theatrical planning and planting. If you don't have room or the inclination...
Read full articleTown
Create an ‘outside room’ that overcomes the three challenges of shade, exposure and lack of space using uplifting, shade-tolerant shrubs, perennials and bulbs. A sense of seclusion can be achieved with decorative screens and trellis covered in deciduous, fragrant...
Read full articleJapanese
Make the most of over 3000 years of gardening tradition by creating an oriental-style garden. Originally designed as a place for intellectual contemplation and meditation, they are an ideal sanctuary from...
Read full articleWater garden
Who can resist the allure of water in the garden? The gentle gurgle of a running stream creates a sense of calm and tranquillity, while a simple pond makes a focal point with magnetic appeal. You can create lush...
Read full articleHostas
The hosta, commonly called plantain lily, has become established as a garden favourite. They are best known for their sumptuous, sculptural leaves ranging in colour from the cool silver blues to the vibrant yellows and greens. They can be a...
Read full article
Everybody falls in love with ‘June’ - her subtle grey-green leaves are colour washed in pale-yellow and where they overlap, shades of soft sage-green appear
Val Bourne - Garden Writer