{"product_id":"hosta-fortunei-first-blush","title":"Hosta fortunei 'First Blush'","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHosta fortunei 'First Blush'\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of the loveliest of all plantain lilies, is the first true \"red leaf\" hosta and a genuine talking point for a shady border. Each heart-shaped green leaf is washed with a red blush that is at its most vivid in spring, carried on striking red-tinted leaf stems, before softening to cool green as summer arrives.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLike all hostas it is a fully hardy, deciduous herbaceous perennial (RHS H7). The whole clump dies back to the ground in late autumn and reappears in mid to late spring, so a little bare soil over winter is completely normal. Slender stems of lavender flowers rise above the foliage in summer, loved by bees. For more on how hardy exotics behave through the seasons, see our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ewhat to expect\u003c\/a\u003e guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow and where to grow\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePosition:\u003c\/strong\u003e partial to full shade, sheltered from cold winds and hot afternoon sun. A first-class choice among \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-shade\"\u003eplants for shade\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e fertile, humus-rich and reliably moist but well-drained, at any pH.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a medium hosta reaching around 35-40 cm tall and 50-60 cm across.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e fully hardy across the UK; no winter protection needed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e'First Blush' is superb at the front of an \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic border\u003c\/a\u003e, in a woodland planting or in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003ea pot on a shady patio\u003c\/a\u003e where the spring colour can be admired up close. Its nectar-rich summer flowers also make it one of our favourite shade-loving \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003eplants for pollinators\u003c\/a\u003e. Pair it with contrasting hostas such as \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hosta-fortunei-bobcat\"\u003eHosta 'Bobcat'\u003c\/a\u003e for a layered foliage scheme.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery plant is nursery-grown, part of our wider \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e range, and carefully packed to arrive in top condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"11cm \/ 0.75L","offer_id":58089275752831,"sku":"HOSTFIRBLU11","price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/firstblush.jpg?v=1785938942","url":"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/products\/hosta-fortunei-first-blush","provider":"GrowTropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}