Plants: Hosta 'Brim Cup' - plantain lily

Plantain lilies are reliable perennials from East Russia, Korea, China, and Japan. In the wild they grow in various locations – along rocky stream-banks, in alpine meadows, as well as in not too shaded woodland. They are cultivated for their bold foliage, often variegated, and bell-shaped flowers in summer.

Brim Cup is a plantain lily of distinct foliage colour. The leaves are broadly heart-shaped, rich green in the centre, and decorated with wide brims of almost yellow colour. In late June flowering stems arise just a little above the foliage, making a dense cluster of numerous, bell-shaped, light lavender pink flowers. This hosta looks best grown as one clump rather than a groundcover, because its rich foliage makes a nice outline defining the plant shape.

Hostas need constantly moist, fertile soil that never dries out. Keep it mulched at all times. Ideal location is partial shade, or full sun with some shade during the day. Full shade is fine but plants will not flower as much or at all. Drought can result in weakened plants that will be prone to diseases. Beware of slugs and snails who come to feast on their leaves. Hardy to about -40°C (USDA zone 3).

Size/type: low perennial
Usual height: 0.3-0.4m
Usual width: 0.3-0.5m
Leaves: deciduous broadleaf
Colour of leaves: varigated, yellow a green
Flowers: showy
Colour of flowers: violet
Blooming time: july
Location: semi-shade / partial sun
Usda zone (lowest): 3 (down to -40°c)
Winter protection:
Belongs to categories: perennials, summer blooms