Hosta sieboldii var. sieboldii f. spathulata (Siebold's Plantain Lily, "Kobagiboshi")

Japanese name: コバギボウシ （小葉擬宝珠）
Scientific name: Hosta sieboldii var. sieboldii f. spathulata

[Overview]
A perennial 30–45 cm tall, growing in sunny wetlands.
It has a short, creeping rhizome.
The leaves are simple and basal, lanceolate, 10–20 cm long and 5–8 cm wide, with the veins on the upper surface sunken.
The upper surface of the leaf is not glossy, and the margin is entire.
A raceme at the tip of the flower stalk bears many flowers.
There are boat-shaped bracts.
The flowers are funnel-shaped, 6-petaled, 5–6 cm long, and pale purple with dark purple veins on the inside.
The flowers open in the morning and wilt in the evening, lasting one day.
The fruit is a capsule, and the seeds are winged on one side.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed or by division.
It prefers sun to bright shade and moderately moist soil that is well drained and retains water well.
Strong direct sunlight in summer can scorch the leaves, so move potted plants to airy 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 summer brings a long spell of sunny weather 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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