Hosta (Tardiana Group) ‘June’

This is a real showstopper. Its heart-shaped leaves are splashed with lime green and initially have a blue-grey wash, which gradually fades as the leaves mature throughout the summer. In July it produces spikes of lavender-grey trumpet-shaped flowers. It’s a variegated sport of Hosta ‘Halcyon’ and makes a flourish at the front of a shady border, sheltered from cold, drying winds, or on its own in a container. The foliage is also invaluable for softening the edges of hard landscaping. Once established, its layers of leaves will suppress weeds, too.

Water your hostas well as soon as you plant them and from then on water regularly during their first growing season. Give them a water about once or twice a week around the base of the plant, avoiding the leaves. Little and often can be disastrous as it encourages the plant to produce roots closer to the surface in a desperate quest for moisture.