Fragrant Hostas

H. plantaginea

Over 58 varieties of fragrant hostas have evolved from H. plantaginea:, which is the only fragrant species hosta. All fragrant hostas have some H. plantaginea genes and sported from or were hybridized from hosta with H. plantaginea in their background. Of the 58 fragrant varieties of hostas only 28 are available commercially. H. plantaginea has the largest bloom of all hostas, occasionally reaching approximately 6 inches. The bloom is a beautiful pure white and the most fragrant of all hosta flowers. Almost all of H. plantaginea offspring except H. 'Fragrant Blue' have a wonderful fragrance but they all have smaller blooms than plantaginea. No matter where they are grown, they need ample sun to bloom. H. plantaginea flowers bloom around 4 p.m. instead of 7 a.m. like most other hostas, and H. plantaginea also uniquely has the ability to “reflush” or regrow new foliage during the summer months. (Most hosta species send up all their foliage in the spring.)

Fragrant hostas are more tolerant of heat and humidity:

Fragrant varieties are often the most heat tolerant and can do well in the southern USA up to growing zone 8 and sometimes even zone 9 because the H. plantaginea species hosta originated the second furthest south of all of the species hosta plants. H. plantaginea originated in eastern China, near Beijing and Shanghai, where temperatures can be very high with high humidity.  To learn more about hostas and growing zones, look at our Hosta Growing Zones page.

H. plantaginea, a top hosta for hybridizing:

H. plantaginea, often known as “August lily.”, was brought from China to England in the 1790’s, and later to the U.S. Because of the excellent traits of H. plantaginea, including a large fragrant bloom, heat and humidity tolerance, beautiful form, “reflushing” of foliage, vigorous growth and leaf sheen, H. plantaginea has long been a popular plant in hybridizing. In addition, many nice “sports” come from H. plantaginea and its offspring.

H. 'Aphrodite'

H. plantaginea 'Aphrodite', often called just H. 'Aphrodite', is a spectacular double blooming, fragrant hosta which comes from H. plantaginea. It needs moist soil, warm days, cool nights and sun in order to bloom. It is a sport of plantaginea that occurred in nature.

Deer prefer fragrant hostas over other hostas:

If deer have the choice between fragrant and non-fragrant hostas, they will tend to eat the fragrant hostas first! For suggestions on deer and other hosta pests visit our hosta pests page.

Fragrant varieties we offer that are more heat tolerant:

Green Hostas | Mini Hostas | Hosta Diseases

Perennial FAQ | Hosta Growing Zones