Plantain Lily Hosta 'Golden Tiara' (v)
ABOUT
Hosta 'Golden Tiara' is a perennial plant known for its distinctive and attractive foliage. The leaves of this hosta are heart-shaped with a bright golden-yellow margin that contrasts beautifully against a center of deep green. As the leaves mature, the color contrast becomes more pronounced, offering a striking display in garden settings. The texture of the leaves is somewhat corrugated, giving them a slightly ruffled appearance that adds to their charm. In the summertime, the plant blooms with stalks that rise above the foliage, bearing bell-shaped flowers. These flowers are usually a soft lavender to pale purple in color, and they dangle delicately from the flower scapes, providing an additional layer of interest to the plant's display. Hosta 'Golden Tiara' is a versatile and vibrant choice, often used in shade gardens for its colorful leaves that brighten up darker areas.
About this plant
- Names
Family
Hostaceae
Synonyms
Plantain Lily, Funkia
Common names
Hosta 'Golden Tiara'
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Variegated
Flower color
Lavender
Height
1-1.5 feet (30-45 cm)
Spread
2 feet (60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3-8
Native area
Asia
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Easy to grow - Hostas are known for being low-maintenance and forgiving plants, which makes Golden Tiara no exception.
- Shade tolerance - This variety thrives even in low-light conditions, filling in those difficult shady spots in the garden.
- Attractive foliage - Golden Tiara displays striking green leaves with golden-yellow edges, offering visual interest throughout the growing season.
- Drought-resistant - Once established, it can tolerate periods of dryness, making it a resilient choice for variable climatic conditions.
- Soil adaptability - It can grow in a wide range of soil types, provided the soil is well-draining.
- Pest resistance - While not immune, Hostas overall are relatively resistant to pests, with Golden Tiara being no exception.
- Varied landscape uses - Suitable for ground cover, borders, and as a filler in garden beds or under trees.
- Long-living perennial - It will return each year, making it a cost-effective addition to the garden over annual plantings.
- Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- Ground Cover: Hosta plants are excellent as ground covers in shaded garden areas where grass might struggle to grow.
- Accent in Water Features: Their bold foliage can provide a beautiful backdrop or accent around ponds and water features.
- Container Gardening: Hostas can be grown in containers to decorate patios, balconies, and even indoors with adequate light.
- Foliage Contrast: Their leaves offer great contrast when planted among other ornamentals with finer texture.
- Border Plants: These can be effectively used to define the edges of pathways and garden borders.
- Culinary Garnish: In some cultures, hosta leaves are used as a garnish for plating dishes, although it's not common for Hosta 'Golden Tiara'.
- Flower Arrangements: The flowers of hostas can be used in bouquets and flower arrangements for their delicate and appealing look.
- Garden Art: Large hosta leaves can be used as natural 'canvases' for garden art projects, like leaf painting or impressions.
- Edging for Woodland Gardens: Their tolerance for shade makes them ideal for edging in woodland garden designs.
- Companion Planting: Hostas can be planted as companions to spring bulbs; their emerging leaves hide the dying foliage of the bulbs after blooming.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
The Hosta is not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Hosta is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Devotion: The Hosta plant's lush, full growth and its tendency to thrive in the garden even with minimal attention symbolizes a steadfast, devoted nature in relationships and endeavors.
- Resilience: Being a hardy plant that can grow in various conditions, Hostas represent the ability to withstand and recover from difficult situations.
- Friendship: Since Hostas are often used in shaded garden areas to complement other plants, they can symbolize the supportive nature of a friend who brings out the best in others.
- Vitality: With their vibrant green leaves, especially with the 'Golden Tiara' variant, Hostas can symbolize life, energy, and good health.
- Peace: Hosta plants have a calming presence in the garden, often symbolizing tranquility and a serene environment.
- Water
Hostas, including the Golden Tiara, prefer even moisture and should be watered deeply once a week, receiving about one inch of water each time. During hot or dry periods, increase watering to twice weekly, ensuring that the water penetrates deeply into the soil to encourage root growth. Avoid shallow watering which can lead to weak root systems. In the growing season, if rainfall is less than one inch per week, supplement with additional water, but always check the soil moisture first, as overwatering can cause root rot. It is best to water early in the day to allow foliage to dry and reduce the risk of fungal diseases.
- Light
Hostas like Golden Tiara thrive in partial shade to full shade conditions. They should be planted in a location where they are protected from the harsh afternoon sun, which can scorch their leaves. Dappled sunlight under trees or an area that receives morning light and afternoon shade is ideal for these plants to develop their full leaf color and maintain health.
- Temperature
Golden Tiara Hostas prefer moderate temperatures and will grow best when the temperature ranges between 50 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They are hardy plants that can tolerate a minimum temperature of around 30 degrees Fahrenheit and can survive short periods of colder weather. However, extended exposure to temperatures below this minimum can damage the plant. It is important to protect them from extreme heat as well, as temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit can cause stress and leaf burn.
- Pruning
Pruning of Golden Tiara Hostas is generally done to remove dead or damaged leaves and to maintain a tidy appearance. Pruning should be carried out in the early spring before the new growth begins or in the late fall after the foliage has died back. Cut back the foliage to the ground level using clean, sharp shears, which helps to encourage healthy new growth in the spring and can also reduce the risk of disease.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
Hostas, commonly known as 'Plantain Lilies,' flourish in well-drained, moist soil rich in organic matter. A soil mix comprising one-third peat moss, one-third compost, and one-third perlite or pine bark is ideal. The pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, in the range of 6.0 to 7.0, to allow the 'Golden Tiara' hosta to thrive.
- Repotting
'Golden Tiara' hostas typically do not require frequent repotting and can thrive in the same container for several years. It is recommended to repot these hostas every 3 to 5 years or when the plant outgrows its pot or the soil becomes exhausted.
- Humidity & Misting
'Golden Tiara' hostas do best in an environment with average to high humidity, but they are quite adaptable. Providing a humidity level around 50-70% is ideal and will help to keep the hosta healthy and prevent its foliage from drying out.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Keep 'Golden Tiara' hosta in shaded light, rich soil, and maintain stable moisture.
Outdoor
Plant 'Golden Tiara' hosta in shade to part-shade, in moist, rich soil.
Hardiness zone
3-8 USDA
- Life cycle
The Golden Tiara Hosta begins its life cycle as a dormant rhizome, which starts growing in early spring as soil temperatures rise. It produces shoots that grow into broad, heart-shaped, variegated green and gold leaves that unfurl and mature, forming a mounding habit. Throughout the late spring to early summer, the plant sends up tall stalks from the center of the foliage clump, which bear bell-shaped lavender flowers that are attractive to bees and hummingbirds. After flowering, the plant sets seed, though hostas are more commonly propagated through division. As autumn approaches, the leaves begin to die back as the plant enters a period of dormancy. The cycle repeats each year as the rhizome overwinters and prepares for the next season's growth.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Late spring to early summer
Propogation: Hosta 'Golden Tiara', commonly known as Hosta, is a popular perennial that is most commonly propagated through division. The best time to propagate Hostas by division is in the early spring or late summer. During these periods, the plants are not in active growth and the weather is mild, which allows the divided plants to establish without extreme stress. To divide a Hosta, carefully dig up the entire plant, making sure not to damage the roots. Wash off the soil so you can see the natural divisions within the rootball. Gently tease apart the crowns to create new plants, each with at least two to three shoots and a portion of the root system. Replant the divisions immediately at the same soil depth they were growing and water them thoroughly to end the process. This method allows for the Hosta to continue thriving, as divided plants often grow more vigorously than those that become too crowded.