Hosta sieboldiana var. condensata ("Tokudamagiboshi")

Japanese name: トクダマギボウシ
Scientific name: Hosta sieboldiana var. condensata

[Overview]
A perennial with rhizomes.
The leaves are simple and basal, rounded-ovate and bluish green, with distinctly sunken veins on the upper surface and a powdery white tinge on the underside.
The upper surface is not glossy, and the margin is entire.
The leaf base does not run down onto the leaf stalk.
A raceme at the tip of the flower stem bears many flowers.
There are large, thick, oblong bracts.
When the flower stem begins to elongate, the bracts overlap and enclose the buds; they then unfold and, at flowering, open at a right angle to the flower stem.
The flowers are funnel-shaped, six-petaled, do not open completely, and are white with a very pale purple tinge.
The flowers open in the morning and wither in the evening, lasting one day.
The fruit is a capsule, and the seeds have a wing on one side.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by division.
It prefers bright shade and soil that is well drained, retains water well, and has moderate moisture.
Strong direct sun in summer can cause leaf scorch, so move potted plants to well-ventilated shade in summer, and plant those in the ground under deciduous trees or similar.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; for plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient unless sunny weather continues in summer and the soil dries out.
In spring and autumn, apply organic fertilizer placed on the soil.
Pests and diseases include southern blight, viral disease, aphids and slugs.

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