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Hosta 'Purple Heart'
plantain lily
Garden hybrid; genus native to East Asia
Overview
Hosta 'Purple Heart' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial grown for its foliage, reaching 18-22 inches (45-55 cm) tall and 36-40 inches (90-100 cm) wide at maturity. The lance-shaped to oval leaves are green with a matte surface and are held on petioles heavily marked with deep red-purple, a color that extends into the leaf base. Leaves measure roughly 6-9 inches (15-23 cm) long. In mid to late summer, near-white to pale lavender flowers open on upright scapes that rise above the mound. The plant dies back to the ground in autumn and re-emerges from a crown in spring. Clumps thicken over three to four years and can be lifted and divided in spring or early fall. Like other hostas, it grows from a fibrous-rooted crown and forms an overlapping rosette of foliage. Slugs and snails chew holes in the leaves, particularly in damp shade, and the foliage scorches at the margins in too much direct sun. Deer browse the foliage where populations are high.
Native Range
Named hosta cultivars do not occur in the wild; Hosta 'Purple Heart' is a garden hybrid. The genus Hosta spp. is native to woodland and stream margins in Japan, Korea, China, and far-eastern Russia.Suggested Uses
Used in shaded borders, woodland gardens, and as a foliage groundcover under trees and shrubs. Suited to mass plantings, edging along shaded paths, and large containers.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'6" - 1'10"
Width/Spread3' - 3'4"
Bloom Information
Flowers open in mid to late summer, typically July to August, on scapes held above the foliage. Individual flowers are near-white to pale lavender and funnel-shaped, lasting two to three weeks. Plants flower in part to full shade.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Pale lavender to near-whiteFoliage Description
Green with red-purple petiolesGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-5 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Hosta 'Purple Heart' grows in part shade to full shade in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. It tolerates soil pH from about 6.0 to 7.5 and responds to an annual mulch and spring feeding. Morning sun deepens the petiole color, but prolonged afternoon sun scorches the leaf margins, especially in dry soil. Even moisture through summer supports full leaf size, while drought stress causes wilting and browning. Slugs and snails are the main pests and feed most heavily in wet, shaded conditions. Crowns can be divided in spring or early autumn to propagate or relieve crowded clumps.Pruning
Flower scapes can be removed after bloom if self-seeding is not wanted. Frost-collapsed foliage is cut back in late autumn or cleared in early spring. No other pruning is needed.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
fallearly spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons