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Hosta ‘Captain Kirk’ (Plantain Lily)

Plantain Lily 'Captain Kirk', 'Captain Kirk' Hosta

AGM Award
Hosta Captain Kirk, Plantain Lily 'Captain Kirk', 'Captain Kirk' Hosta, variegated Plantain lily, Shade perennials, Plants for shade
Hosta Captain Kirk, Plantain Lily 'Captain Kirk', 'Captain Kirk' Hosta, variegated Plantain lily, Shade perennials, Plants for shade

A large hosta of rapid growth rate, Hosta ‘Captain Kirk’ (Plantain Lily) forms an overlapping mound of widely oval, slightly arching, dimpled and strongly veined leaves. Broadly margined bright green, the leaves emerge chartreuse before turning golden yellow then ivory. Pale lavender flowers appear in midsummer, rising on scapes 30 in. tall (75 cm). An improved sport of ‘Gold Standard’ with much wider, dark green margins, gold centers, and thicker leaves.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
  • Grows up to 20 in. tall (50 cm) and 36 in. wide (90 cm).
  • Performs best in part shade to full shade in fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Shelter from cold, dry winds.
  • Perfect for the shade garden, mixed with other perennials in bed and borders, city gardens, cottage gardens or containers. Great as a groundcover or underplanting shrubs and roses.
  • Watch for slugs and snails which could damage the attractive foliage.
  • Cut off the stems after blooming to encourage the plant’s growth. Discolored leaves should be trimmed back to the ground.
  • Propagate by division in early spring or late summer.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 2 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Asparagaceae
Genus Hosta
Common names Plantain Lily, Hosta
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Full Shade
Attracts Birds, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Hosta ‘Fragrant Bouquet’ (Plantain Lily)
Hosta ‘Abiqua Drinking Gourd’ (Plantain Lily)
Hosta ‘Silver Bullet’ (Plantain Lily)
Hosta ‘Blueberry Muffin’ (Plantain Lily)
Hosta ‘Queen Josephine’ (Plantain Lily)
Hosta ‘Warwick Comet’ (Plantain Lily)

Recommended Companion Plants

Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ (Hakone Grass)
Actaea simplex (Atropurpurea Group) ‘Hillside Black Beauty’ (Baneberry)
Astilbe ‘Delft Lace’
Dicentra spectabilis ‘Alba’ (Bleeding Heart)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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Miniature and Very Small Hostas for Gardens and Containers
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Hostas for Warmer Climates
Award-Winning Hostas
Hosta (Plantain Lily)
Great Hostas as Companion Plants for Azaleas and Rhododendrons
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 2 - 9
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Asparagaceae
Genus Hosta
Common names Plantain Lily, Hosta
Exposure Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spacing 36" (90cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Full Shade
Attracts Birds, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
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