Fringes and veins of soft ivory, dusky blue and shades of green from lime to a hard bright hue, compact in form or sprawling, large, intermediate or small, there are so many types of hostas (Plantain lilies) it's breath-taking, particularly so for someone who loves the grace of their form, the texture, shape and colour of their leaves, and appreciates their flower stalks, but could still imagine loving hostas without their flowers; they're a top favourite.

My husband and I, at any rate, are in agreement that hostas are our most favourite of all perennial garden plants. We also enjoy heuchera, and they too come in many varieties, and their bright and delicate flower stalks holding tiny bells of exquisite beauty provide a nice contrast and companion to hostas.

The beauty of both is that they're extremely long-lived, require no attention, and can be readily divided to create additional plants for the garden. They are, in short, perfection in a plant for people who love their gardens. And we do.

I must admit when we're cruising about greenhouses I'm always on the lookout for new hosta varieties. I must admit that when we commit to adding a new one to our gardens, if the specimen is mature and has divided on its own, I take advantage of that and plant the divisions separately. In no time at all what originally appears as a relatively modest plant expands and matures and proudly shows off its wonderful lineage.

For architectural form and visual beauty, hardiness and self-care, there are few plants that can compete.