Hosta 'Hanky Panky' PP16217

Common Name: Hosta

A small to medium sized hosta described by many as "unlike any hosta we have ever seen"

A sport of 'Striptease'

Emerges in spring with dark green leaves and a pale lime edge; a narrow white thread separates the center from the margin

As the summer progresses, the edge lightens to near-white with an unusual pale green overlay

Lavender flowers appear in midsummer

A vigorous grower

Hostas are exceedingly popular perennials in today's gardens due to their versatility in the landscape. Their subtle colors, tall flower scapes, and broad, coarse leaves fill a niche in garden designs that few other plants can achieve. Their large leaves provide excellent coverage for dying bulb foliage. Hostas also grow well in city environments where the air may be polluted by car exhaust, etc.

Height:

13.0 Inches

Spread:

33.0 Inches

Scape Height:

23.0 Inches

Hardiness Zones:

3,4,5,6,7,8,9

Flower Color:

Purple shades

Foliage Color:

Variegated

Sunlight:

Part Shade (4-6 hrs. Direct Sun) Full Shade (< 4 hrs. Direct Sun)

Water Requirements:

Average Water Needs Consistent Water Needs

Soil Quality:

Average Soil Quality Fertile Soil Quality

Soil Chemistry:

Acidic Soil (pH < 7.0) Neutral Soil (pH = 7.0)

Bloomtime:

Midsummer

Attracts Wings:

Attracts Hummingbirds

Growth Rate:

Medium

Garden Style:

Patio Container Eclectic Woodland Shade

Other Features:

Border Plant Container Cut Foliage Easy To Grow Attractive Foliage Specimen Focal Point

Origin:

Not Native to North America

Hostas grow best in moist, well-drained, highly organic soils with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Sandy loam is better than clay because it provides more aeration for the roots. High-filtered or dappled sunlight is necessary for clean, healthy growth. Morning sun is tolerable and will help to intensify the leaf colors, but hot afternoon sun is usually deadly to hostas. They are most at home in shady, woodland settings and often work well as specimen or edging plants.

Especially in northern zones, hostas should be mulched with a layer of finely shredded organic material to prevent heaving in the winter. Mulch is beneficial because it retains moisture around the plant's roots, but it is also the ideal place for slugs to hide. Watch for holes in the center of the leaves. If they are present, so are slugs. Applying a slug bait in early spring when new shoots are beginning to emerge will help to reduce the slug population. After a few years when plants are firmly established, the mulch can be removed completely, which should eliminate the slug problem altogether. Also be sure to clean all hosta foliage out of the garden in early winter after the plants have gone dormant. By doing so, you will be ridding the area of the eggs of slugs and other leaf-eating insects.

Characteristics