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Hosta ‘Frances Williams’ (Plantain Lily)

Plantain Lily 'Frances Williams', 'Frances Williams' Hosta, Hosta sieboldiana 'Frances Williams'

AGM Award
Hosta Frances Williams, Variegated Plantain lily, Plantain Lily 'Frances Williams', Shade perennials, Plants for shade
Hosta Frances Williams, Variegated Plantain lily, Plantain Lily 'Frances Williams', Shade perennials, Plants for shade

Among the most popular hostas ever introduced, Hosta sieboldiana ‘Frances Williams’ is a large, variegated hosta with thick, puckered, strongly veined, broadly heart-shaped, blue-green leaves, 12 in. long (30 cm), widely and irregularly margined greenish-yellow, gradually maturing to creamy-beige. Funnel-shaped pale lilac blooms appear in early to midsummer, rising on scapes 30 in. long (75 cm), but the primary contribution of this hosta is its lovely foliage. Slow to establish, this clump-forming perennial is impressive in large containers or in the shady border.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Easy grower, Hosta ‘Frances Williams’ grows 32 in. tall (80 cm) and spreads 51 in. (127 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, 2, 3, 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 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Spacing 48" (120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Full Shade
Attracts Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage
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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 ‘White Feather’ (Plantain Lily)
Hosta ‘Queen Josephine’ (Plantain Lily)

Recommended Companion Plants

Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ (Hakone Grass)
Matteuccia struthiopteris (Ostrich Fern)
Anemone nemorosa (Wood Anemone)
Astilbe

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Hosta (Plantain Lily)
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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, 2, 3, 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 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm)
Spread 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm)
Spacing 48" (120cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Clay, Loam
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Full Shade
Attracts Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Ground Covers, Patio And Containers, Underplanting Roses And Shrubs
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
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Hosta
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