hosta

noun hos·ta \ ˈhō-stə , ˈhä- \

|Updated on: 1 Jun 2018

Definition of hosta

: any of a genus (Hosta) of Asian perennial herbaceous plants of the lily family with densely growing basal leaves and tall racemes of white or violet flowers — called also funkia, plantain lily

Recent Examples of hosta from the Web

Around her, other volunteers helped paint over graffiti, lay mulch and plant daffodils and hostas to brighten a section of the busy artery that runs under the I-84 viaduct.

— rebecca lurye, courant.com, "Volunteers Brighten A Dark Corner Of Hartford Roadway," 5 May 2018
Yet my hostas have very few holes if any holes in them.

— OregonLive.com, "Is clumping bamboo really not invasive? If not slugs, 'what is eating my perennials?' Ask an expert," 5 May 2018
As the early bloomers are dying away and looking shabby, the newly emerging hosta leaves will hide them from sight.

— the editors of organic life, Good Housekeeping, "How To Grow The Most Stunning Hostas," 16 May 2017
The Springland springhouse is in a side yard, amid the hostas.

— john kelly, Washington Post, "Farm team: Imagine grapes on the Mall and corn across the District," 1 May 2018
Some hostas will perform well on the east side of the house, where there’s morning sun and afternoon shade, while the hot afternoon sun on the west side will burn the foliage.

— tim johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Sunny or shady? Sandy or clay soil? Know specifics of your garden before picking plants.," 17 Apr. 2018
Also plant summer-flowering bulbs: alliums, cannas, hostas and daylilies.

— idahostatesman, "A gardening to do list for March and April | Idaho Statesman," 21 Mar. 2018
Her gardens were filled with unusual hosta plants, holly, winter berries and other plants.

— courant.com, "Julia Kozikowski," 11 Feb. 2018
The couple's research led them to plant gingers, ferns, hosta and grasses and then add in garden sculpture, including a Zen-style fountain surrounded by Macho ferns.

— susan langenhennig, NOLA.com, "Slidell garden bathed in shade takes second place in NOLA.com garden contest," 1 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hosta.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

There are about 40 species of hostas or plantain lilies, which are hardy perennials in the lily family, native to eastern Asia. They prefer light shade, but will grow under a variety of conditions. They are valued for their conspicuous foliage, which may be light to dark green, yellow, blue, or variegated. The ribbed leaves grow in a cluster at the base, and stalks bearing clusters of tubular white or bluish-purple flowers emerge from the leaves.