Plantain Lily Hosta 'Frances Williams' (sieboldiana) (v)
ABOUT
Frances Williams Hosta, a popular variety of hosta, is particularly noted for its eye-catching foliage. The leaves of this plant are large, with a heart shape and a distinctive puckered texture, giving them a robust and corrugated appearance. The leaf color is a unique blend of blue-green hues, providing a lush and cool look to the plant. This blue-green base is handsomely accented by irregular margins that are a creamy yellow to gold, creating a striking contrast that draws attention to the plant in any garden setting. As the Frances Williams Hosta matures over the growing season, the margins may fade to white, adding further interest. The different colors and textures of the leaves add a beautiful tapestry effect when planted in groups or as part of a mixed border. In addition to its foliage, the Frances Williams Hosta produces tall flower stalks that stand above the leaves. These stalks bloom with white to pale lavender flowers that are bell-shaped and dangle down attractively, offering a modest but pleasing visual in contrast to the bold leaves. Overall, the Frances Williams Hosta is a plant that is often chosen by gardeners for its ability to act as both a focal point and a complement to other plants in a shade garden.
About this plant
NamesSynonyms
Plantain Lily, Funkia
Common names
Hosta sieboldiana 'Frances Williams'.
ToxicityTo humans
The Hosta, commonly referred to as 'Frances Williams,' is generally not considered to be poisonous to humans. There are no significant toxic effects reported for people consuming the leaves or any other parts of this plant. Ingesting the plant might cause mild stomach upset in some cases, but it is unlikely to cause serious harm.
To pets
The Hosta plant is known to be toxic to pets, including dogs and cats. If a pet ingests any part of a Hosta plant, they may experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and depression. In severe cases, ingestion can lead to more serious reactions and may require veterinary attention. Pet owners should prevent their animals from eating this plant to avoid potential health issues.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Variegated
Flower color
Lavender
Height
2 feet (60 cm)
Spread
4 feet (120 cm)
Plant type
Herbaceous
Hardiness zones
3
Native area
Japan
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Value: Hosta 'Frances Williams' is known for its attractive foliage with large, blue-green leaves that have wide, irregular chartreuse to yellow margins, adding visual interest to garden spaces.
- Shade Tolerance: This variety thrives in shaded areas, making it an ideal choice for gardens with limited sunlight.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, Hostas require minimal care beyond occasional watering and fertilizing, making them a good choice for gardeners seeking low-maintenance plants.
- Texture Contrast: The Hosta 'Frances Williams' provides textural contrast in the landscape with its thick, corrugated leaves, different from the foliage of other plants.
- Ground Cover: Its dense foliage can serve as an effective ground cover, suppressing weeds and minimizing soil erosion in shaded garden beds and borders.
- Seasonal Interest: Hostas offer varied seasonal interest with their foliage in spring and summer and flower spikes that rise above the leaves in mid to late summer.
- Divisibility: The plant can be divided every few years to propagate and spread around the garden or share with fellow gardeners.
- Border and Edging Plant: Due to its clumping habit, Hosta 'Frances Williams' makes an excellent border or edging plant, defining garden paths and bed boundaries.
- Variability: Hostas come in a wide range of sizes, forms, and colors, allowing gardeners to choose a variety that specifically fits their garden's design and color scheme.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Leaf Castings: Leaves of the Hosta can be used to make decorative leaf castings for garden ornaments or wall art.
- Shade Garden Design: Hostas are frequently used by landscape architects and garden designers to add lush foliage and texture to shade garden designs.
- Natural Dye: The leaves of the Hosta may be used as a natural green dye for fabrics or paper.
- Floral Arrangements: Although not typically used for their flowers, Hosta leaves can be included in floral arrangements for their bold foliage.
- Hosta Leaf Printing: The leaves can be coated with paint to create unique patterns when pressed onto fabric or paper, known as nature printing.
- Garden Borders: Hosta plants serve well as live borders or edging plants in a garden due to their mounding growth habit.
- Outdoor Events Decor: Large Hosta leaves can be used as natural placemats or decorative elements in table settings for garden parties or weddings.
- Erosion Control: Hosta's dense rooting system helps to prevent soil erosion in shaded slope areas or near stream banks.
- Culinary Garnish: While not common, the Hosta's tender young shoots may be used as an edible garnish in some traditional Japanese dishes.
- Photography Subject: Due to their attractive foliage, Hostas are often used by photographers as subjects for botanical and garden photography.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Hosta plant is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Plant Symbolism- Resilience: Hosta plants are known for their hardiness and ability to thrive in shade, symbolizing an individual's resilience in facing dark or difficult times.
- Devotion: Due to their perennial nature, returning year after year, hostas can represent steadfastness and loyalty, akin to unwavering devotion.
- Hope: The emergence of hostas in the spring after a period of dormancy can signify hope and the promise of renewal after a challenging period.
- Heartiness: Hostas are robust and can grow well with minimal care, symbolizing an easygoing nature and the ability to survive with little sustenance.
- Vitality: With their lush foliage, hostas embody vitality and the fullness of life, encouraging a sense of abundance and well-being.
WaterThe Frances Williams Hosta prefers consistently moist soil, so it's important to water it deeply once a week, providing about 1 gallon of water per square yard. This amount may need to be increased during extremely hot or dry periods to maintain evenly moist soil. Avoid overhead watering to prevent leaf burn and instead water at the soil level. In the fall, you can reduce the watering frequency as the plant prepares for dormancy. Always check the top inch of soil for dryness before watering to ensure the plant is not overwatered.
LightFrances Williams Hosta thrives in partial to full shade, avoiding direct afternoon sun which can scorch the leaves. The ideal location is under a canopy of trees or on the north side of a building where it will receive bright, indirect light. Morning sun and afternoon shade will provide the best lighting conditions for this plant to flourish.
TemperatureFrances Williams Hostas prefer a temperature range from 50°F to 75°F for optimal growth, but can withstand temperatures as low as 30°F and as high as 90°F for short periods. These plants are hardy and can survive winter temperatures down to -30°F, but they should be protected from extreme heat and frost.
PruningPruning Frances Williams Hosta mainly involves removing dead or damaged foliage to maintain the plant's health and appearance. Trim away these leaves as needed throughout the growing season. The best time for pruning is in the early spring or fall after the plant has died back. Deadheading the spent flower stalks can be done after bloom to keep the garden tidy.
CleaningAs needed
SoilFrances Williams Hosta thrives in a well-draining soil mix rich in organic matter with a slightly acidic to neutral pH, ideally between 6.5 and 7.5. A good mix would be equal parts of garden soil, peat moss, and perlite or coarse sand to ensure proper drainage.
RepottingFrances Williams Hosta is commonly grown in the ground where repotting is not required; however, if grown in containers, repotting every 2-4 years is advisable to replenish the soil and provide room for growth.
Humidity & MistingFrances Williams Hosta prefers a moderately humid environment but is quite adaptable. It does well with typical outdoor humidity levels while ensuring it's not in overly dry conditions.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light with moist soil.
Outdoor
Partial shade, moist well-drained soil, hardy.
Hardiness zone
3-9 USDA
Life cycleHosta 'Frances Williams', commonly known as Frances Williams Hosta, begins its life cycle as a dormant rhizome or as seeds. In the spring, new shoots emerge from the rhizome, developing into large, heart-shaped, blue-green leaves with irregular yellow-cream edges. Throughout the growing season, the clump-forming perennial expands in size and leaf volume. In mid to late summer, it produces stalks bearing bell-shaped, white to lavender flowers that attract pollinators. Post-flowering, seed pods may form, containing seeds that can be dispersed to propagate new plants. As temperatures cool in the fall, the plant's foliage dies back and it enters a period of dormancy, conserving energy in the rhizome to repeat the cycle the following spring.
PropogationPropogation time
Early spring
The most popular method for propagating Hosta 'Frances Williams', commonly known as the Frances Williams Hosta, is through division. This is ideally done in the early spring or early fall, when the plant is not in active growth. To propagate by division, carefully dig up the entire hosta clump, ensuring to keep as much of the root system intact as possible. Using a sharp knife or spade, divide the clump into smaller sections, each with at least two or three shoots and a portion of the root system. Replant the divisions immediately, spacing them at least 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 centimeters) apart, and water them thoroughly to help establish the new plants. This method not only propagates the plant but also rejuvenates older clumps that may have become too large or have started to die out in the center.
