Hosta 'Fragrant Bouquet'

Hosta 'Fragrant Bouquet': A Radiant Presence with Scented Grace

Luminous and lush, Hosta 'Fragrant Bouquet' is cherished for its apple-green foliage edged in creamy white and its sweetly scented blooms. The broad, slightly wavy leaves form a graceful mound, bringing brightness to shaded spaces from spring to fall. In midsummer, pale lavender-white flowers rise on tall scapes, perfuming the air and drawing pollinators to the garden.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 45–55 cm
• Spread: 90–100 cm, forming a wide, cascading mound
• Flower Colour: Pale lavender-white
• Flowering Period: Midsummer
• Foliage: Broad apple-green leaves with creamy white margins; lightly rippled with good substance
• Sunlight Requirements: Partial shade; tolerates some morning sun
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil

Uses and Benefits: Hosta 'Fragrant Bouquet' brightens shaded borders, paths, and courtyard plantings with its glowing foliage and soft fragrance. It is particularly effective when planted near patios or seating areas where its scent can be appreciated up close. Its cheerful variegation pairs well with darker companions, while its blooms add a midseason lift to mixed shade plantings. A reliable and vigorous performer, it combines colour, form, and fragrance in a single easy-care package.

Companion Plants: Combine Hosta 'Fragrant Bouquet' with Astilbe 'Visions in Pink', whose fluffy, upright plumes offer soft contrast and echo the hosta’s bloom time. Introduce Athyrium 'Lady in Red' for fine texture and a flush of burgundy along the stems. Finish the grouping with Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola', a golden ornamental grass that softens the planting and picks up the warm tones in the hosta’s variegation.

Care Instructions: Plant in partial shade with moist, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Morning sun can enhance leaf colour, but protect from harsh afternoon rays. Water regularly during dry spells and remove spent foliage in early spring. Divide every 4–5 years to maintain clump shape and vigour.

History: Hosta 'Fragrant Bouquet' is a cross between 'Frances Williams' and Hosta plantaginea, introduced by Paul Aden. Celebrated for combining showy variegation with sweet fragrance, it was named Hosta of the Year in 1998 by the American Hosta Growers Association.

Final Thoughts: With its radiant foliage and delicate perfume, Hosta 'Fragrant Bouquet' brings light, elegance, and scent to the shaded garden—an irresistible trio for gardeners who seek beauty through every sense.