The ‘Lakeside Banana Bay’ Hosta is a highly sought-after perennial known for its visually appealing foliage and ability to brighten shaded garden areas. Its unique coloration and growth habit make it suitable for various landscape designs, including mass plantings and container arrangements. This Hosta provides reliable performance and vibrant contrast in garden settings.
Distinctive Features
The ‘Lakeside Banana Bay’ Hosta features heart-shaped leaves with a striking color combination. Its foliage emerges green in spring, transitioning to bright yellow centers bordered by distinctive apple green edges as the season progresses. These glossy, slightly cupped leaves have a thick substance, contributing to their durability and providing good resistance to slugs and snails.
This Hosta forms a dense, mounding habit, reaching a mature height of 10 to 15 inches and spreading 16 to 30 inches wide. In midsummer, dainty spikes of white to lavender tubular flowers rise above the foliage, adding another layer of charm. The plant’s overall texture is relatively fine.
Growing Conditions
‘Lakeside Banana Bay’ Hosta thrives in partial to full shade, benefiting from bright shade and protection from direct, intense sun, which can cause the yellow center to turn creamy white. It should be planted in fertile, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. While adaptable to normal, sandy, or clay soil types, a pH range of 6.0-6.5 is suitable.
Consistent moisture is important for this Hosta, as it prefers average to moist conditions and should not dry out completely. Regular watering is recommended for optimal performance, especially during dry spells, though it can withstand short periods of drought. Hostas are light to moderate feeders. Fertilize in spring to early summer with a slow-release fertilizer, avoiding application after midsummer. Incorporating slow-release fertilizer into the soil before planting is also beneficial.
Maintenance and Propagation
Maintenance involves a few straightforward practices to ensure its continued vigor. Remove spent flower stalks after blooming to direct energy towards foliage development. Clear damaged or yellowing leaves to maintain appearance and reduce pest hiding spots. In late fall, cut back and remove all spent foliage to eliminate overwintering sites for slugs and their eggs.
Propagation is commonly achieved through division. This can be done effectively in early spring or late summer. To divide, carefully dig up the mature clump and separate it into smaller sections. Ensure each section has a portion of the root system and at least one “eye” (a visible bud from which new growth emerges). Hostas can remain undisturbed for many years, but division is useful for multiplying the plant or managing its size in the garden.
Common Challenges and Solutions
While generally low-maintenance, ‘Lakeside Banana Bay’ Hosta can encounter common issues, primarily pests. Slugs and snails are frequent culprits, leaving characteristic holes and slimy trails on leaves. To manage these pests, consider methods such as hand-picking them at night, placing barriers around plants, or using organic slug baits containing iron phosphate (less toxic to pets). Removing leaf litter in the fall also helps reduce their overwintering habitat.
Other pests include vine weevils (damaging roots as larvae and foliage as adults) and occasionally cutworms (chewing lower leaf parts). While less common, deer and rabbits may also feed on Hosta foliage, requiring physical barriers or repellents for protection. Excessive direct sun exposure can lead to leaf scorch, causing bright yellow centers to fade or bleach. Proper shade conditions prevent this.