Plant · P-004

Elephant Ear

Hosta sieboldiana

A large, clump-forming shade perennial with thick, deeply puckered, blue-green leaves that can reach over a foot long and half again as wide. Pale lavender to near-white, bell-shaped flowers rise on tall stalks above the foliage in early summer, though the leaves are the main appeal. The clump thickens and widens slowly from the crown rather than spreading by running roots or self-sown seedlings, and divides easily in spring or autumn to start new plants. Needs evenly moist, humus-rich, well-drained ground in light to deep shade with tolerance for some morning sun, and the broad leaves scorch where summers turn intensely hot and sunny.