blue plantain lilies
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Hosta ventricosa is a species in the genusHosta (plantain lily) which contains approximately 30 to 52 species and belongs to the family of the Hostaceae (Plantain-lily Family).
Hosta ventricosa is a decidious plant with simple leaves wich appear at the base of the plant. They are glossy dark green and heart-shaped. The petiole can be up to 30 centimeters long, the lamina up to 30 centimeters long and 20 centimeters wide. The margins are usually entire, but older plants often develop leaves with strongly wavy margins and sunk-in veins.
The flowers are bell-shaped and purple. The plants bloom from June to August. The flowers are arranged in erect racemes that are up to 95 centimeters long. One raceme may bear up to 30 flowers. Since the blue plantain-lily is reliable and rich in flower it is not only valuable as a foliage ornamental but its flowers as well.
The fruits are loculicidal capsules.
The leaves grow to a height of approximately 50 centimeters, the inflorescences tower over them in bloom.
Hosta ventricosa is considered a very valuable wild perennial. Best planted solitary or in small groups of up to 5 plants. Use three plants per square meter with a spacing of 60 centimeters. The perennials do well at pond margins, underneath decicious trees or shrubs, in a border or a mixed bed.
Susceptible to slugs, though not as much as other Hosta species. To prevent an infestation the soil should be worked regularly and general hygiene maintained. If slugs appear us pellets or fight them biologically with nematodes. Handpicking in the evening hours also helps.
Larvae that develop into small, dark-coloured beetles indicate an infestation with the black vine weevil. Handpick the insects and improve hygiene. Also, use an insecticide or biological control with nematodes.
Distorted and discoloured leaves and flowers indicate a viral infection. Destroy infected plants and control insects that may spread the virus.
Hosta ventricosa is a decidious plant with simple leaves wich appear at the base of the plant. They are glossy dark green and heart-shaped. The petiole can be up to 30 centimeters long, the lamina up to 30 centimeters long and 20 centimeters wide. The margins are usually entire, but older plants often develop leaves with strongly wavy margins and sunk-in veins.
The flowers are bell-shaped and purple. The plants bloom from June to August. The flowers are arranged in erect racemes that are up to 95 centimeters long. One raceme may bear up to 30 flowers. Since the blue plantain-lily is reliable and rich in flower it is not only valuable as a foliage ornamental but its flowers as well.
The fruits are loculicidal capsules.
The leaves grow to a height of approximately 50 centimeters, the inflorescences tower over them in bloom.
Hosta ventricosa is considered a very valuable wild perennial. Best planted solitary or in small groups of up to 5 plants. Use three plants per square meter with a spacing of 60 centimeters. The perennials do well at pond margins, underneath decicious trees or shrubs, in a border or a mixed bed.
Susceptible to slugs, though not as much as other Hosta species. To prevent an infestation the soil should be worked regularly and general hygiene maintained. If slugs appear us pellets or fight them biologically with nematodes. Handpicking in the evening hours also helps.
Larvae that develop into small, dark-coloured beetles indicate an infestation with the black vine weevil. Handpick the insects and improve hygiene. Also, use an insecticide or biological control with nematodes.
Distorted and discoloured leaves and flowers indicate a viral infection. Destroy infected plants and control insects that may spread the virus.
