Unpack bare roots or rhizomes on arrival and plant them within a week. Until then, keep them somewhere cool and ensure the roots remain slightly moist, never wet.
Out of season
Good, colourful plants for shady spots in the garden can be hard to find, and this is where Hosta 'Guacamole' comes in. This recently introduced hybrid hosta grows into a strong mound of large, heart-shaped leaves – each with a blue-grey margin and an apple-green to gold centre. Could this colouring, perhaps, remind you of the skin and flesh of an avocado? The leaves are also softly ribbed, making them curiously tactile. If this wasn’t enough, the pale lavender flowers are large (like mini foxgloves), long-lasting and highly scented.
Even though it has an exotic-sounding name, Hosta 'Guacamole' is in fact very much at home in a British garden, particularly if there is a shrubby or woodland feel to the setting. It is a special plant, which is why it holds an RHS Award of Garden Merit.
For best impact, hostas should be planted in bold groups. Fork in plenty of well-rotted garden compost or leaf mould when planting, as hostas hate to dry out. And, from March onwards, it is a good idea to provide some protection from slugs and snails – perhaps in the form of a ring of crushed shells, or slug traps.
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Remove the packaging straight away, check the compost and water thoroughly if dry. Check the plant’s hardiness before placing it outdoors. Plant into a border or permanent container within a month, choosing the position recommended for the variety. Keep the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil, firm gently and water well.
Soak the roots in water for three to six hours immediately before planting. Keep any crown, buds or emerging shoots above the water where possible.
Pot most bare roots into 15–20cm pots filled with peat-free multipurpose compost. Large or depth-sensitive roots, including peonies, are often best planted directly into borders.
Arrange the roots naturally without bending them. Cover the roots completely, positioning the crown and buds at the depth recommended for that particular perennial.
Keep pots in a sheltered outdoor position and water whenever the compost begins to dry. Grow on until roots hold the compost together when lifted from the pot.
Plant into a suitable border or permanent container once well rooted. Add a label and water regularly throughout the first growing season while the perennial establishes.
- Botanical name
- Hosta 'Guacamole'
- Flower colour
- Purple, white
- Established height
- 50-70cm
- Established spread
- 50-70cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
-
Clump-forming
Spreading - Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green, yellow, two-tone
- Mouse resistant
- Yes
- Plant size
- 1
- Plant spacing
- 5 plants per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- No
- Position
- Sheltered
- Rabbit resistant
- Yes
- RHS Award (AGM)
- Yes
- Scented
- Yes
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
-
Damp
Free draining - Soil type
-
Loam
Clay
Loam-based compost
Multipurpose compost - Suitable for
-
Pots
Large containers
Borders
Ground cover
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens - Sunlight
-
Partial shade
Dappled shade - Toxicity
- No report
- Years to establish
- 1-2 years
Perfect for pots
Pollinator-friendly
Fragrant
Great for shade
RHS Recommended
Perennial
Fully hardy
Packed peat-free
Low maintenance
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Hosta 'Guacamole' reviews
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