Ella's Garden Plants from A to Z: Hosta Autumn Frost, Hosta

Family: Liliaceae

Genus: Hosta

Cultivar or Variety: Autumn Frost

Characteristics of Plant

12x24 inches. Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed. Allow seedheads to dry on plants, remove and collect seeds. Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored. Medium growth rate and average substance. Leaf color is medium blue-green and margin is pale yellow. * Hosta seedlings do not need a night time rest period, so if the lights are on 24/7, you will gain 3 ‑ 9 months of additional growth by the time they are set outside.

Germination Tips: Soil temperature plays an important role as to how long it will take the seed to sprout and whether the seed will sprout at all. Soil temperatures tend to run 5 to 10 degrees cooler than the air temperature in a room. In temperatures of 60° to 70°F (20°C), the germination time for hosta seed will be about two weeks. Cooler rooms will greatly increase the germination period.

Life Cycle
Perennial

Zone Hardiness up to
Zone 3

When to Sow Seed
Early Summer

Germination Temperature
60-70 F

Seed Sowing Depth
Lay on top of soil

Seed Needs Light to Germinate
No

Days to Germination
14-24 days

Sun Exposure
Part Sun/ Part Shade
Shade

Plant Height
1- 2 feet

Plant Form
Ground Cover

Blooms
Yes

Bloom Form
Above Foliage

Flower Color
White

Fragrance
Heavy

Nutritional Needs
Moist

Fertile
Yes

Reproduces By
Rhizomes

Attractive to Wildlife
Birds
Hummingbirds
Butterflies

Additional Uses
Borders