There are more than 2,000 registered cultivars of hosta grown today. The species and cultivars mentioned below are just a few of those that are well-suited to growing throughout South Carolina.

Plantain Lily (Hosta plantaginea) is the most heat-and sun-tolerant hosta species, and they will grow in shade to three-quarters of a day of sun. Plantain Lily cultivars are ideal for growing in the South. They flower in late August and September, with wonderfully fragrant blossoms that open at night. The leaves are fresh lime green and the flowers are large and white. They grow well on the coast, as they do not need a long dormant period.

* ‘Royal Standard’ grows 18 inches tall by 38 inches wide. Blooms white.
* ‘Aphrodite’ is a double-flowered cultivar. Intensely fragrant flowers open in late summer.
* ‘August Moon’ grows 20 inches tall with a 30-inch spread.
* ‘Honeybells’ grows 18 to 24 inches tall with light lavender flowers in mid-August.

Fortune’s Plantain Lily (H. fortunei) has pale lavender flowers. It blooms in late spring and early summer. Many of the most garden-worthy hostas are fortunei cultivars. Most grow 1 to 1½ feet tall and 2 feet wide. They prefer shade to a half-day of sun.

* ‘AureoMarginata’ has deep green oval leaves accented by a marked gold edge.
* ‘Albomarginata’ has green ovate leaves splashed with a white creamy border.
* ‘Hyacinthina’ has large heart-shaped leaves with a blue cast. The color changes in summer to a deep to olive green. The prolific lavender flowers grow in a hyacinth shape.

Hosta Hybrids

* ‘Sum & Substance’ has large, glossy chartreuse leaves so thick that they resist slug damage. Best color is achieved in sun. Grows 30 inches tall by 60 inches wide with white flowers.
* ‘Francee’ has wide pointed leaves of dark green with a narrow, bright white margin. This is a long-time favorite among hosta lovers. Grows 24 inches tall by 36 inches wide with lavender flowers.
* ‘Kabitan’ has very low narrow leaves of yellow to chartreuse with a narrow, dark green margin. The plants spread slowly as ground cover and edging. The flowers are deep purple. It will not tolerate excessive sun.
* ‘Gold Standard’ has heart-shaped chartreuse leaves with a deep green irregular margin. With some sun, the center of the leaf turns bright gold. Grows 20 inches tall by 36 inches wide.
* ‘Moonlight’ is a variant of ‘Gold Standard’ with a creamy-white edge and lavender flowers. It needs shade for best results.
* ‘Patriot’ has dark green leaves with a wide striking white margin. Grows 12 inches tall by 30 inches wide.
* ‘Golden Tiara’ has green heart-shaped leaves with a neat gold margin and purple flowers. These small hostas are ideal for edging. They grow 1 foot tall by 2 feet wide.