Plantain lily

Holder of the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit (AGM), 'Golden Tiara' is one of the best small hostas being neat and compact in habit and quick to spread. It has heart-shaped leaves that are mid-green, streaked with a lighter shade. Their margins are creamy yellow at first, turning greenish yellow later. In mid-summer, it produces deep lavender, bell-shaped flowers. Hostas benefit from plenty of organic matter being added to the soil before planting. They also enjoy being mulched in spring and autumn to help retain moisture in the soil. For the lushest displays, feed with a balanced fertiliser between March and June. Do not feed after this period or you will encourage the sort of sappy growth that slugs adore! To avoid the leaves looking like a piece of lace, take measures against slugs and snails, such as beer traps.