Hosta Patriot (Plantain Lily)

Among the most popular variegated hostas ever introduced, Hosta 'Patriot' (Plantain Lily) is a clump-forming perennial forming a divinely eye-catching mound of large, ovate-shaped, satiny, dark green leaves adorned with irregular ivory margins. Racemes of funnel-shaped, lavender-blue flowers appear in summer on scapes rising well above the foliage mound to 34 in. tall (85 cm). A moderate to fast grower, 'Patriot' adds great color to the shady borders and containers.

• Named Hosta of the Year by the American Hosta Growers Association (1997), it also won the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society (2012). A real plant of Merit!
• Easy grower, 'Patriot' is a sport of Hosta 'Francee', which grows 20 in. tall (50 cm) and spreads 51 in. (127 cm).
• Performs best in full sun, part shade or full shade in fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Shelter from cold, dry winds.
• Perfect for the shade garden, mixed with other perennials in bed and borders, city gardens, cottage gardens or containers. Great for edging, as a groundcover or underplanting shrubs and roses.
• Watch for slugs and snails which could damage the attractive foliage.
• Cut off the stems after blooming to encourage the plant's growth. Discolored leaves should be trimmed back to the ground.
• Propagate by division in early spring or late summer.
• Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.