Hosta 'Praying Hands'
plantain lily
This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
- Position: partial or full shade
- Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: fast-growing
- Flowering period: July to August
- Hardiness: fully hardy
The slender, ruffled leaves of this unusual hosta have a distinctive 'fold' along their midrib, and each is encased with a fine, creamy white margin. Forming a dense, upright to gently splaying clump, this handsome, shade-loving perennial will add structure and form to a naturalised setting, where it could be teamed with ferns, woodland geraniums or early-flowering brunneras. It's primarily grown for its decorative foliage, however in mid- to late summer, you'll have the added bonus of its lavender-blue bell-shaped flowers. - Garden care: Add a generous amount of well-rotted garden compost or leaf-mould when planting. Protect the young foliage from slugs, deadhead the faded blooms and apply a 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the base of the plant each spring.