Lakeshore Garden Centres Plant Finder

Other Names:  Plantain Lily, Funkia

Description:

A stunning selection for semi to full shaded areas; large leaves are sea-green with creamy white variegation; flowers are pale lavender, near white, appearing in the midsummer months; low maintenance and easy to grow

Ornamental Features

American Sweetheart Hosta features dainty spikes of lavender tubular flowers rising above the foliage in mid summer. Its attractive small textured heart-shaped leaves remain bluish-green in colour with showy creamy white variegation throughout the season.

Landscape Attributes

American Sweetheart Hosta is a dense herbaceous perennial with tall flower stalks held atop a low mound of foliage. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Insects

American Sweetheart Hosta is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Groundcover

Planting & Growing

American Sweetheart Hosta will grow to be about 20 inches tall at maturity extending to 3 feet tall with the flowers, with a spread of 3 feet. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 20 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years. As an herbaceous perennial, this plant will usually die back to the crown each winter, and will regrow from the base each spring. Be careful not to disturb the crown in late winter when it may not be readily seen!

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. This plant does not require much in the way of fertilizing once established. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.