Hosta longipes aka Rock Hosta

Hosta longipes is a perennial in the asparagus family, Asparagaceae. Its native range includes Korea and central and southern Japan. Japanese records include Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku. It grows in temperate climates. In the wild, it may grow on rocks or trees. In gardens, it forms a low, rounded clump. Its leaves die back at the season’s end.

Size estimates vary between sources. One account gives foliage height as 0.75 feet [0.23 metres]. It gives the clump’s width as 1 foot [0.30 metres]. RHS lists garden height and spread at 0.33–1.64 feet [0.1–0.5 metres]. The oval leaves have a thick, glossy surface and deep veins. Their green shade ranges from mid-green to dark green. Leaves can reach 0.67 feet [0.20 metres] long. They can reach 0.42 feet [0.13 metres] wide. New leaves emerge in spring and last through the growing season.

Flowers rise above the leaves on bare, upright stalks. Purple dots mark the stalks, which reach 1 foot [0.30 metres]. The funnel-shaped blooms range from lavender to pale purple-pink. Missouri Botanical Garden places flowering in August and September. The flowers attract hummingbirds and add colour above the foliage. This small plant suits shady borders and woodland gardens. It also works as ground cover or beneath shrubs. RHS lists containers, courtyards, and informal gardens among its uses.

Grow it in fertile soil that stays moist but drains well. It accepts clay, loam, sand, and chalk soils. It also accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline conditions. Partial shade offers a good growing position; full shade is tolerated. Give it shelter from cold, dry winds. Keep moisture steady while the plant grows. Apply water to the soil beneath its leaves. Sources rate it USDA zones 3–8 and UK H7. Divide clumps in early spring or late summer. Remove dead leaves when growth ends.

Care demands are low, but slugs and snails can damage leaves. Vine weevils may trouble plants grown in pots. Other reported problems include viruses, leaf spots, and crown rot. Hail can also harm exposed leaves. Young leaves and leaf stalks can be cooked and eaten. Their taste is somewhat sour, and their texture can be fibrous. Plants For A Future lists no known medicinal use. It reports no known hazards, without establishing pet safety.