How to Grow August Lily Hosta
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August Lily Hosta
Hosta plantaginea
flowerAugust Lily Hosta is a fragrant shade-loving perennial with heart-shaped green leaves and elegant white trumpet flowers that bloom in late summer. Unlike most hostas, this variety produces highly fragrant flowers, earning it the common name 'Fragrant Hosta.' It's prized for adding both visual and olfactory interest to shaded garden spaces.
When should you plant August Lily Hosta in your zone?
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Example August Lily Hosta timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant August Lily Hosta
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First August Lily Hosta blooms
Mid-to-late summerBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact August Lily Hosta dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9, with best performance in zones 4-8
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Vegetative Growth
8-10 weeksPlant develops full mound of large, glossy, heart-shaped green leaves. Foliage spreads outward and fills in.
Water consistently, especially during dry spells. Apply slug barriers if needed. Remove any dead leaves. Fertilize monthly with balanced fertilizer.
Flower Bud Formation
2-3 weeksTall flower stalks (scapes) emerge from the center of the plant, reaching 24-36 inches. Buds form along the stems.
Support tall scapes with stakes in windy locations. Maintain consistent moisture as flowering requires energy. Continue regular fertilizing.
Flowering
3-6 weeksDelicate white trumpet-shaped flowers open along the scapes, typically in mid-August through September. Flowers are highly fragrant, especially in evening.
Enjoy the fragrance in the evening when scent is strongest. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming. Keep soil moist but not soggy.
Dormancy
4-5 monthsFoliage yellows and dies back after first frost. Plant enters winter dormancy with crown protected underground.
Allow foliage to yellow naturally before cutting back; this sends energy to roots. Cut stems to 2 inches above soil line in late fall. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch for winter protection in zones 3-5.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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and
Hand-pick in evening, use slug barriers (copper tape or diatomaceous earth), beer traps, or spinosad sprays. Keep area free of debris where they hide
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Fencing is most effective; also try deer-repellent sprays, noise-makers, or plant alongside other deer-resistant plants
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Spray with strong water stream to dislodge, use insecticidal soap, or apply neem oil; rarely severe on established plants
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Remove infected leaves immediately, improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, and disinfect tools; no chemical cure available
Uses
Edible Shoots (Fiddleheads)
CulinaryYoung unfurling shoots and flower buds are edible and used in Asian cuisine, particularly Japanese cooking where they're known as 'tori' or 'urui.' They have a mild, slightly asparagus-like flavor when steamed or stir-fried. [source]
Cut Flowers and Fragrance
HouseholdThe fragrant white flowers are excellent for cutting and bringing indoors, especially valued for their evening fragrance. The flowers can perfume an entire room with their sweet, honey-like scent. [source]
Shade Garden Ornamental
HouseholdAugust Lily Hosta is prized as a foundational shade garden plant, providing reliable foliage texture, elegant form, and late-season blooms when many gardens fade. The glossy leaves and architectural shape add structure to woodland and shade borders. [source]
Pollinator Support
WildlifeThe fragrant white flowers attract bees, moths, and other pollinators, especially in late summer when nectar sources are scarce. Evening-blooming characteristics make it valuable for night-pollinating species. [source]
Traditional Use
MedicinalIn traditional Asian medicine, hosta has been used to address inflammation and skin conditions. The plant contains compounds studied for potential health applications, though clinical evidence is limited. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
August Lily Hosta is ornamental rather than harvested, but cut flowers can be enjoyed indoors. Cut scapes with 2-3 opened flowers in the morning for longest vase life (3-5 days). Deadhead spent flowers to promote continued blooming. Foliage can be cut back to 2 inches in late fall after first frost or when fully yellowed.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 August Lily Hosta is the only commonly cultivated hosta variety with fragrant flowers; most other hosta varieties have little to no scent, making this species botanically unique among hostas.
- 🌱 The fragrance is most potent in the evening and at night, when the flowers are pollinated by night-flying moths in its native habitat (China), rather than day-flying insects.
- 🌱 This is an ancient cultivar that has been grown in Asian gardens for centuries and was one of the first hostas introduced to Western gardens in the 1700s, making it a living piece of horticultural history.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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