Plantain Lily Hosta 'Big Daddy' (sieboldiana hybrid) (v)
ABOUT
Hosta 'Big Daddy' is a striking perennial known for its distinctive foliage. This plant boasts large, cupped leaves that are a blue-green hue, contributing to a lush and impressive display in the garden. The leaves have a thick, almost seersucker texture, which adds to the tactile experience when touching them. Over time, the foliage may develop a more powdery blue appearance, especially when the leaves are young. The plant takes on a mounded form with its leaves spreading outwards, creating a full and substantial presence. As the seasons progress, 'Big Daddy' will often produce tall flower scapes that contrast with the heavy foliage. These scapes bear delicate bell-shaped flowers, usually in a shade of white or soft lavender, which hang elegantly and add a touch of whimsy to the overall appearance of the Hosta. These blooms can be an attractive source of nectar for pollinators such as bees. Overall, Hosta 'Big Daddy', with its robust foliage and charming flowers, adds a sense of calm and coolness to shaded garden areas, providing a textural and visual anchor within a diverse planting scheme. Its resilient nature also makes it a popular choice for gardeners looking to fill out shaded spots with a plant that has a substantial and eye-catching presence throughout the growing season.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asparagaceae
Synonyms
Plantain Lily, Funkia, Giboshi
Common names
Hosta sieboldiana 'Big Daddy'
ToxicityTo humans
Hostas, including the 'Big Daddy' variety, are generally not considered toxic to humans. They are not known for containing any toxic compounds that would pose a threat if touched or accidentally ingested in small quantities. However, as with any non-food plants, it is not advisable to eat hostas, as they are not intended for human consumption and could potentially cause an upset stomach or an allergic reaction in some individuals.
To pets
Hostas, commonly known just as hostas, are known to be toxic to pets, especially dogs and cats. If a pet ingests any part of a hosta plant, they could potentially experience symptoms of poisoning. These symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, and depression. In severe cases, large ingestions may even lead to more serious effects. It is important for pet owners to ensure that their pets do not have access to hostas in order to prevent any accidental poisoning.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Blue-green
Flower color
White
Height
2 feet (60 cm)
Spread
3 feet (91 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3
Native area
Asia
Benefits
General Benefits- Shade Tolerance: Thrives in shaded areas where other plants may struggle, allowing for diverse garden design.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it ideal for busy gardeners.
- Drought Resistance: Can tolerate periods of dryness, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Attractive Foliage: Offers large, textured leaves that can add visual interest to a garden throughout the growing season.
- Ground Cover: Spreads to form a dense cover, helping to suppress weeds and reduce soil erosion.
- Cold Hardy: Survives in colder climates, making it a versatile choice for gardens in temperate zones.
- Decorative Flowers: Blooms with subtle, bell-shaped flowers that can enhance the beauty of garden spaces.
- Long-Lived: Establishes as a perennial, providing beauty for many years with proper care.
- Varietal Diversity: Comes in a variety of sizes and colors, allowing for customization in garden design.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- As a natural dye: The leaves of Hosta 'Big Daddy' can be used to produce a natural green dye for fabrics and yarns.
- In aquatic gardens: Hosta can be planted near ponds or water features, as they can tolerate moist soil conditions and enhance the aesthetic of water gardens.
- Leaf casting: The large, textured leaves of 'Big Daddy' are perfect for making decorative leaf castings for garden ornamentation or art projects.
- Culinary garnish: Though not widely known, the flowers and shoots of Hostas are edible and can be used as a unique, ornamental garnish for culinary dishes.
- Outdoor photography: Due to its striking foliage, 'Big Daddy' can serve as an excellent contrasting background for outdoor photography.
- Erosion control: Hostas can help prevent soil erosion in shaded garden areas due to their dense root system and foliage cover.
- Biotope aquariums: While not fully aquatic, the varied leaf structure of Hostas can be replicated with aquatic plants to create a biotope aquarium that resembles their natural environment.
- Hiding garden utilities: The large leaves and bushy growth habit of Hosta 'Big Daddy' can be used to camouflage unsightly garden elements like hoses, faucets, and utility boxes.
- Theme gardens: Hosta 'Big Daddy' can be incorporated into specific theme gardens such as 'shade gardens', 'blue gardens', or 'foliage contrast gardens' for its unique leaf color and texture.
- As an educational tool: Gardeners and educators can use Hosta 'Big Daddy' to teach about plant adaptation, shade tolerance, and hybridization in horticulture classes.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Hosta is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Plant Symbolism- Resilience: Hostas, including 'Big Daddy', are known for their hardiness and ability to thrive in various conditions, symbolizing the human capacity to endure and recover from adversity.
- Devotion: With their lush foliage that returns year after year, hostas represent loyalty and the commitment to sustain relationships through the seasons of life.
- Patience: These plants take time to reach full maturity, reminding us of the virtue of patience and the rewards that come with waiting for the right time.
- Versatility: Hostas are prized for their ability to grow in shade or partial sun, reflecting adaptability and the importance of being versatile in life's varied situations.
WaterHosta 'Big Daddy', commonly known as Plantain Lily, thrives best with consistent moisture. Water mature plants about once a week during the growing season, with approximately 1 gallon per plant, ensuring the water penetrates deeply into the soil. During hot or dry spells, the frequency may need to increase to prevent the leaves from wilting. Reduce watering frequency as the plant enters dormancy in the fall. Over-watering or poor drainage can lead to root rot, so it is essential to ensure that the soil is well-draining.
LightPlantain Lilies, including 'Big Daddy', prefer dappled shade or morning sun with afternoon shade. A location under the canopy of open-branched trees is ideal to protect the leaves from harsh midday sun that can scorch them. Too much shade can reduce the lushness of the foliage, so finding a balance is key for the plant's health.
TemperaturePlantain Lilies are hardy and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures but perform optimally in areas where the average summer temperature is between 60°F and 80°F. They can survive in temperatures as low as 30°F but should be protected from prolonged freezes. They are dormant in winter and should be kept away from extreme cold to protect their roots.
PruningPruning Plantain Lilies is primarily for aesthetic purposes and to remove any damaged or dead foliage. This can be done in early spring or as needed during the growing season. During fall cleanup, prune back the foliage after it has died back naturally. This helps maintain a tidy appearance and may reduce pests and diseases the following season.
CleaningAs needed
SoilHostas prefer a well-draining, fertile soil that's rich in organic matter. The best soil mix for 'Big Daddy' Hostas should incorporate compost, peat moss, and perlite to ensure proper drainage and aeration. Ideally, the soil pH for 'Big Daddy' Hostas should range between 6.0 to 7.5 to enable optimal nutrient uptake.
Repotting'Big Daddy' Hostas are known for their size and typically don't need frequent repotting. They should be repotted or divided every 3 to 5 years to prevent overcrowding and promote healthy growth. Early spring, just as the new shoots emerge, is the best time for repotting.
Humidity & MistingHostas, including 'Big Daddy', generally prefer an environment with moderate humidity. Outdoor morning dew and natural humidity tend to be sufficient. If grown indoors, maintaining average room humidity will suffice, as they are not particularly demanding in terms of humidity requirements.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place 'Big Daddy' Hosta in bright, indirect light with cool temps.
Outdoor
Plant in partial shade, enrich soil, and ensure even moisture.
Hardiness zone
3-9 USDA
Life cycleHosta 'Big Daddy' starts its life as a dormant rhizome or division planted in the garden soil, typically in early spring or fall. The rhizome gives rise to shoots that emerge from the ground, unfurling its large, heavily-textured, blue-green leaves. As the plant matures through the growing season, it forms a mound of foliage, which is its primary stage of vegetative growth. In mid to late summer, the Hosta 'Big Daddy' produces tall flower scapes bearing bell-shaped white to lavender flowers, attracting pollinators such as bees into the garden. After flowering, seeds may develop in the spent flower heads, which can be collected for propagation or left to self-seed in the garden. The plant goes dormant once colder temperatures arrive in autumn, retreating back to its rhizome stage until the next spring cycle.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
Hosta 'Big Daddy', a popular variety of hosta plant known for its large blue-green foliage, is most commonly propagated through division. The best time for dividing hostas is in early spring or fall, when the weather is cool and the plants are not in their active growing phase. To propagate Hosta 'Big Daddy' via division, carefully dig up the entire clump of the plant, making sure to keep a substantial amount of roots intact. Using a sharp, clean knife or spade, slice through the root ball to separate it into smaller sections, each with at least two or three shoots and a portion of the root system. These divisions can then be replanted in well-draining soil at the same depth they were growing previously, spaced about 30 to 36 inches apart (approximately 76 to 91 centimeters), to accommodate their mature size. After replanting, water the divisions thoroughly to help establish them in their new locations.
