This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.

• Position: partial or full shade
• Soil: fertile, moist, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: July to August
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  This impressive shade-loving perennial forms a large (75cm high) urn-shaped mound of wavy-edged grey-green leaves, each of which is framed with an irregular yellowish margin that becomes creamier over time. In mid- to late summer, tall stems rise above, bearing spikes of bell-shaped pale lavender-pink flowers. It's wonderful in a woodland setting where it associates really well with ferns.
  
  
• Garden care: Water your hosta well as soon as you plant it (avoiding the foliage if possible), and then water it regularly and thoroughly - particularly during the first growing season. You'll get thicker, lusher leaves if you give your hostas a really good feed. An annual mulch in spring or autumn will help to keep the weeds down and is an easy way to improve soil and boost nutrient levels. Slugs and snails love hostas, so you will need to protect against them. Use an organic nematode treatment in early spring to ward them off - or pot them up into a gravel-topped pot.