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| 'Lancifolia' was the first hosta introduced to Western botany. One was acquired by Kaempfer in 1692. Von Siebold sent the first live 'Lancifolia' plants to Holland in 1829. It's origin is unknown, and it is thought to be sieboldii in nature. An excellent groundcover and edger, it is cultivated around the world and is easy to propagate by division. Schmid indicates the plant is 14-20'" in diameter and 12" high. The oval-lance-shaped leaves (4-6" x 2-3") are smooth and a shiny medium green on top and a glossy lighter green below. The leaves have 5-6 pairs of veins and are undulate and slightly wavy in the margin. The green scape has purplish red dots on the lower third and is straight, lax and leaning. The funnel-shaped flower is purple-violet. It blooms late and is considered pod-sterile. 'Lancifolia' is often mistaken for cathayana. which is generally similar except it is fertile. 'Lancifolia' prefers light shade but is sun and drought tolerant. It is sometimes found under the names 'Saji Giboshi' or 'Koba Giboshi'. |