Hosta 'Royal Standard'

Hosta 'Royal Standard': Timeless Elegance and Fragrant Charm

Classic and refined, Hosta 'Royal Standard' is a garden staple known for its glossy green leaves and delightfully fragrant white flowers. This vigorous, medium to large hosta forms a lush, rounded clump that brightens shaded areas with its clean foliage and graceful stature. In late summer, tall scapes bear trumpet-shaped blooms that perfume the air and draw pollinators in.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 50–60 cm
• Spread: 90–100 cm, forming a full, rounded clump
• Flower Colour: Pure white; fragrant
• Flowering Period: Late summer
• Foliage: Glossy, medium green; smooth, heart-shaped leaves with gentle texture
• Sunlight Requirements: Partial to full shade; tolerates some morning sun
• Soil Requirements: Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil

Uses and Benefits: Hosta 'Royal Standard' is ideal for mass planting, foundation beds, or anchoring shaded borders. Its dependable growth and fragrant blooms make it especially appealing near patios, paths, and seating areas where the sweet scent can be enjoyed. A perfect foil for more flamboyant companions, it offers season-long elegance with minimal maintenance.

Companion Plants: Pair Hosta 'Royal Standard' with Tiarella 'Spring Symphony', whose airy white flowers echo the hosta’s bloom time. Add the graceful texture of Polystichum 'Tassel Fern' for structure and year-round presence. Complement with Carex pensylvanica, a soft, native sedge that thrives in shade and supports pollinator-friendly designs.

Care Instructions: Grow in partial to full shade in moist, well-drained soil. Water during dry spells to maintain foliage quality. Remove old leaves in spring and divide every 4–5 years to encourage fresh growth. Performs best with shelter from hot afternoon sun.

History: Hosta 'Royal Standard' is one of the earliest fragrant hostas, dating back to the mid-1900s. A hybrid of Hosta plantaginea, it was among the first to combine ornamental foliage with scented blooms, paving the way for a new category of hostas appreciated by both gardeners and pollinators.

Final Thoughts: With enduring beauty and sweet fragrance, Hosta 'Royal Standard' brings a timeless sense of grace to shaded landscapes—proof that simplicity, when done well, never goes out of style.