{"product_id":"hosta-praying-hands","title":"Hosta 'Praying Hands'","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHosta 'Praying Hands'\u003c\/strong\u003e is the most distinctive of all plantain lilies, a hosta so unusual it hardly looks like one. Its narrow, dark green leaves are held tall and upright, tightly folded along the midrib and finished with a fine gold edge, so the whole clump resembles rows of hands pressed together in prayer. Named Hosta of the Year in 2011, it brings vertical structure and a real sense of movement to the shade garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is fully hardy, rated RHS H7, and comes through the coldest British winters unaided. As a deciduous, herbaceous perennial it dies back to a dormant crown in autumn and reappears each spring, the natural cycle explained in our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/hardy-exotics-what-to-expect\"\u003ehardy exotics guide\u003c\/a\u003e. Its neat, upright form makes it one of the very best hostas for containers, where the sculptural leaves can be enjoyed close up.\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 harsh sun that can scorch the folded leaves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e fertile, humus-rich and moist but well-drained; add leaf mould or compost before planting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e a medium hosta, reaching around 35 to 45cm tall and 55 to 75cm across.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness:\u003c\/strong\u003e fully hardy across the UK (RHS H7), with no winter protection needed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWater through the first two summers to establish it, then mulch each spring. Praying Hands is a standout in a container from our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003epots and containers\u003c\/a\u003e range, an intriguing accent among \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-shade\"\u003eplants for shade\u003c\/a\u003e, or a vertical note within \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-border-plants\"\u003eexotic border plants\u003c\/a\u003e. Lavender summer flowers draw in bees, a bonus for anyone growing \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pollinators\"\u003eplants for pollinators\u003c\/a\u003e. Do note that, like all hostas, it is toxic to cats, dogs and horses if eaten, and slugs and snails will target it, so keep watch as the shoots emerge.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eContrast its upright habit with the broad blue mounds of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hosta-big-daddy\"\u003eHosta 'Big Daddy'\u003c\/a\u003e, or browse the full \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/hardy-exotics\"\u003ehardy exotics\u003c\/a\u003e range. Every plant is nursery-grown, hand-selected for a strong crown and healthy roots, and carefully packed to arrive in superb condition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GROW TROPICALS","offers":[{"title":"11cm \/ 0.75L","offer_id":58089239019903,"sku":"HOSTPRAY11","price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0361\/9645\/0348\/files\/prayinghands.jpg?v=1785939221","url":"https:\/\/growtropicals.com\/products\/hosta-praying-hands","provider":"GrowTropicals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}