Hosta fortunei 'Patriot' – 'Patriot' Plantain Lily

'Patriot' Hosta is one of the most spectacular and popular shade perennials. A sport of the famous 'Francee' variety, this improved version presents an even more striking colour contrast. It forms a vigorous and elegant clump that literally brings light to the darkest corners of the garden, combining exceptional beauty with the simplest of care.

Characteristics

• Foliage: The plant develops large, oval, slightly wavy leaves of excellent substance. They display a dark green center, spectacularly defined by a wide, irregular margin of pure, brilliant white. In spring, this margin emerges a creamy-yellow hue before turning white.
• Flowering: In mid-summer, tall flower scapes (up to 85 cm) rise above the foliage. They carry clusters of funnel-shaped, delicate lavender-blue flowers.
• Light: It thrives in locations from partial shade to full shade.
• Habit: It forms a dense, wide, and mounded clump that spreads over time.
• Growth: With a medium growth rate, it reaches a height of 40 to 55 cm and a spread of 60 to 75 cm.
• Moisture: It prefers soil that maintains consistent moisture.
• Soil: It grows best in rich organic, moist, and well-drained soil.
• Hardiness: Very hardy, it faces Zone 3 winters without any problem.
• Watering: It requires consistent watering so the soil never dries out completely, especially during dry periods.
• Resistance: Its good leaf substance gives it better slug resistance than many other hosta varieties.

Uses

• Types of Use: It is a quintessential choice for illuminating shady beds, borders, or woodlands. It is magnificent in mass plantings, as a groundcover, or as a specimen in a container arrangement.
• Ornamental Features: The spectacular contrast between the dark green and pure white of its foliage is its main attraction. It creates a bright, textured focal point in shady areas. The lavender-coloured flowers attract hummingbirds and add a delicate touch in summer.

Care

• Fertilizing: Incorporate compost or organic matter into the soil at planting time. A spring application of a balanced fertilizer will support its growth.
• Pruning: Its maintenance is minimal. Remove the yellowed foliage in late fall, after the frosts, to maintain good tidiness and prevent diseases or insects.
• Planting: Plant in rich, moist soil in a location with partial to full shade.