How to Grow Perfume Power Hosta
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Perfume Power Hosta
Hosta 'Perfume Power'
shrubPerfume Power is a fragrant hosta cultivar known for its sweetly scented lavender flowers and attractive foliage. Unlike many hostas, this variety produces noticeably fragrant blooms in mid to late summer, making it a standout choice for shade gardens seeking both visual appeal and aromatic interest. The plant forms a medium-sized clump with dark green leaves.
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Example Perfume Power Hosta timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Perfume Power 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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Harvest Perfume Power Hosta
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Perfume Power Hosta dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-8; best performance in zones 4-7
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Establishment
4-6 weeks after plantingYoung transplant with emerging shoots and developing root system. Foliage is smaller and less robust than mature plants.
Keep soil consistently moist during first growing season. Mulch around base (not touching crown) to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Avoid fertilizing first year.
Vegetative Growth
Spring through mid-summer, year 2 onwardPlant produces increasingly larger leaves and expands outward. Clump size increases noticeably through spring and early summer.
Water regularly, maintain mulch layer, apply balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring. Remove any damaged or yellowed leaves. Slugs are active during this stage.
Flowering
4-6 weeks, typically July-AugustTall flower stalks (scapes) emerge from the foliage center bearing lavender flowers in racemes. The blooms are notably fragrant, especially in evening hours.
Flowers appear mid to late summer. Ensure adequate moisture during blooming for best fragrance production. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage stronger future blooms, or leave for seed formation.
Post-Bloom & Dormancy
Late summer through winterFoliage matures fully and may display more prominent color variations. Plant gradually goes dormant in fall as temperatures cool.
Cut back dead foliage after hard frost or in early spring before new growth emerges. Do not cut back early as emerging shoots can be damaged by late frosts. Apply 2-3 inches of mulch in fall for winter protection in northern zones.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Hand-pick in early morning or evening. Use beer traps, copper tape barriers, or slug pellets. Encourage natural predators like ground beetles. Remove dense mulch piles where slugs hide.
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Similar to slug control; hand-pick, use barriers, and reduce hiding spots. Diatomaceous earth can be applied around base.
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Strong water spray to dislodge. Insecticidal soap if severe. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings.
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Hand-pick in early morning, place in soapy water. Use Japanese beetle traps set away from plants. Apply neem oil as needed.
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Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering. Remove infected leaves promptly. Apply fungicide if severe.
Uses
Shade Garden Focal Point
OrnamentalPerfume Power serves as an elegant accent plant in shade gardens, valued for its dark green foliage mound and fragrant summer flowers. The plant adds vertical interest through its tall flower scapes and provides reliable structure in difficult shaded locations. [source]
Fragrance & Dried Flowers
CraftThe sweetly scented lavender blooms can be dried and used in potpourri, sachets, and dried flower arrangements. The fragrance persists when properly dried, making it valuable for floral crafts. [source]
Pollinator Attractant
WildlifeFragrant hosta flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators during mid to late summer when some gardens lack blooms. The nectar-rich flowers provide important food sources. [source]
Potential Herbal Uses
MedicinalIn traditional Asian medicine, some hosta species have been used for their purported anti-inflammatory properties. While not widely used medicinally today, the aromatic compounds in fragrant varieties merit continued research. [source]
Edible Shoots (Limited Use)
CulinaryIn Japan, young hosta shoots (called 'urui') are harvested in spring as a delicacy and eaten as a vegetable. However, this practice is limited and should only be done with positive species/variety identification and moderation to avoid weakening ornamental plants. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Hostas are ornamental foliage plants, not typically harvested for consumption. For floral arrangements or potpourri, cut lavender flower scapes in the morning when fragrance is strongest. Pick individual leaves only if needed for display; excessive leaf removal weakens the plant. Flowers can be dried for scent preservation by hanging upside-down in a cool, dark location.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Perfume Power is one of the few hosta cultivars selected specifically for fragrance; most hosta species have little to no scent. The fragrance is often stronger in the evening and increases in warm, humid conditions.
- 🌱 Hostas are native to East Asia (Japan, Korea, and China) and have been cultivated for centuries in Asian gardens before becoming popular in Western shade gardens during the 20th century.
- 🌱 The plant can live for 30+ years in the same location with minimal maintenance, making it an excellent long-term investment for permanent landscape plantings.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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