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Hosta ‘Designer Genes’ (Plantain Lily)

Plantain Lily 'Designer Genes', 'Designer Genes' Hosta

Hosta Designer Genes, Gold Plantain lily, Plantain Lily 'Designer Genes', Shade perennials, Plants for shade, Yellow Hosta
Hosta Designer Genes, Gold Plantain lily, Plantain Lily 'Designer Genes', Shade perennials, Plants for shade, Yellow Hosta
Hosta Designer Genes, Gold Plantain lily, Plantain Lily 'Designer Genes', Shade perennials, Plants for shade, Yellow Hosta

Prized for its brilliant foliage and red stems, Hosta ‘Designer Genes’ (Plantain Lily) is a fabulous addition to shady areas where it forms a small mound of widely oval, heart-shaped, brilliant golden-yellow leaves. Shiny above and matt below, the luminous foliage contrasts beautifully with the showy bright red petioles. Later in the season, the foliage mellows to more of a chartreuse green color. Funnel-shaped lavender blooms appear in late summer, rising on red scapes 24 in. tall (60 cm). A knockout foliage perennial that is excellent for containers and small gardens.

  • Easy grower, this clump-forming perennial grows 18 in. tall (45 cm) and spreads 12 in. (30 cm).
  • A part shade to full shade lover, it is best grown in rich, moist, well-drained soils.
  • Perfect for the shade gardens, mixed with other perennials in beds and borders, city or cottage gardens, as a groundcover, garden edging or underplanting shrubs.
  • 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.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.

Requirements

Hardiness 3 - 9
Heat Zones 1 - 8
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 10" - 1'
(25cm - 30cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Full Shade
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers, Small Gardens, 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

Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Painted Lady Fern)
Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ (Hakone Grass)
Geranium pratense ‘Midnight Reiter’ (Cranesbill)
Astilbe

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Best Foliage Plants for Your Garden
30 Great Perennials for Shade
Companion Plants for your Hostas
Prevent Slugs and Snails from Feasting on your Hostas
Miniature and Very Small Hostas for Gardens and Containers
Pretty Hostas Tolerant of Sun
Striking Blue Hostas for Gardens and Containers
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 1 - 8
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 10" - 1'
(25cm - 30cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Tolerance Full Shade
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers, Small Gardens, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Hosta
Guides with
Hosta
Not sure which Hosta to pick?
Compare Now

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