Native to the Japanese mountain valleys, Hosta gracillima (Plantain Lily) is a dwarf hosta used by many hybridizers to produce miniature hosta cultivars. Known as the 'small rock hosta' in its native Japan, this clump-forming perennial features lance-shaped, wavy-margined, glossy, deep green leaves, paler underneath. It produces purple-dotted scapes, about 10 in. long (25 cm), in late summer and fall, which are topped by funnel-shaped, lavender-blue flowers with purple stripes and gracefully recurving tepals.

• Grows in a small, dense mound, up to 5 in. tall (12 cm) and 12 in. wide (30 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 for edging, 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.