Evening star., 1938-07-16
Plantainlily
Is a Useful
Perennial
Profuse Flowering
Plant Will Thrive
Even in Shade.
VERY useful and worthwhile

n VERY useful and worthwhile
- perennial for the shady garden is
the plantainlily (Hosta) formerly
called funkia. One variety still goes
by the name of August lily. and the
whole family is sometimes known as
the corfulily. The name plantainlily
no doubt Is derived from the broad
plantain-like leaves, but the resem-
blance ends there.
Most gardeners know one or more
Of the forms, since for a long time
they have passed from garden to gar
den, as all gardeners like to do.
There are a number Of forms, and
their uses are so many that they
merit more than the usual considera-
ton. But before listing the forms
and uses let us examine the attributes
Of the plantainlily so that we may
know whether or not they are useful
in our particular garden.
They like some shade, do well in
deep shade, and will grow In full
sunlight, although they suffer sun
scald unless protected from the mid
day and hot afternoon sun. They ere
not troubled by any serious insect pest,
and only occasionally are they both
cred with crown rot-the one serious
disease. When infected with crown
rot the infested plant should be dug
and burned. The soil should not be
replanted until 1t has been disin-
fected.
The foliage of the plantainlily Is
glossy and lasting so they make ex-
cellent border plants, edgings, or
paintings in front of shrub borders.
They do not spread badly-instead
they grow in compact clumps which
improve with age. The foliage varies
in size, color and In texture with
the different varieties. AL in all,
they are useful plants for gardens Of
any size.
The dwarf kinds, such as II. for
tunei and H japonica, are useful for
edgtng perennial beds, while the taller
kinds, such as the big plantainlily
Oh. plantaginea grandifora) and the
cushion plantainlily Oh. sieboldiana), :,
are useful as individual paintings in
the lawn, or in groups In front of the
shrubbery. Almost all of the plan
families look well In paintings near
water. AS matter of fact three of
them-the blue, the lancelcaf and
the cushion plantainlilies+like nois-
ture close to the roots They will
not, however grow and thrive II their
roots are in water, and If there Is
excessive moisture near the crown
serious trouble may be expected from
crown rot.
One Of the best known Of the plan
families is the big plantainlily Oh.
plantaginea grandiflora). the August
lily OF long ago, sometimes called the
fragrant blantainlily. As the name
implies, 1t Is a vigorous grower
(2h fseD-with large leaves. It
blooms in August with tall spikes Of
white ilylike flowers.
Another strong grower-the cushion
planNainlily Oh. sieboldiana)-has q
blush cast to its leaves, blooms In
July, and the flowers are white tinged
with Mac. 1t grows 21a feet tail, and
by many is considered to be one OF the
most useful members of the family.
The blush green foliage is quite
striking.
The blue plantainlily Oh. caerulea)
is somewhat lower growing-about III
feet-and Is peculiar in that the fiow-
ers are quite differently shaped--the
upper half of the flowers being greatly
enlarged. They are nauve or blue.
A smaller-leaved variety is the
lanceleaf Oh. lancifolia), which sends
up its pale lavender flowers late In
August. 1t grows about 2 feet high.
This particular species also has a va
regated for mwhich is widely planted.
Then there is H. lancifolia tardifolia,
which flowers in September.
Plaintainlilies do best in a we'll
enriched soil. Ample humus is essen
tial to hold moisture to their roots.
While they are easily divided and
grow readily, most gardeners prefer
to leave them undisturbed for q num-
Der OF years since large, vigorous
clumps make a handsome display.