Wait … hostas that bloom in late summer? And they’re fragrant? Welcome to the nifty niche of hostas often tagged as “August lilies.”

I’m not breaking any new ground here. These so-called August lilies are old-school hostas that originated in southern China and migrated to America in the early 1800s. Botanically grouped in Hosta plantaginea, they became instant hits in the South due to their heat tolerance and ability to cast scented spells in gardens on warm afternoons of waning summers.

Starting in August, some hostas seem to want even more attention, so they stretch long stalks above their leaves and begin to flower.

As with many plants that become popular with gardeners, H. plantaginea has been tinkered with by breeders looking for improvements, but most mutated and hybridized forms still retain the good ol’ August lily charm of late-blooming, scented flowers. While white is the typical color of these bell-shaped beauties, some have also been tinted with light purple hues.

Today, although many variations have been created, there are only about two dozen selections of August lilies generally available to the gardening public. But this doesn’t make them hard to find. Heck, I bought the classic “Royal Standard,” which has been around for ages, at a big box home improvement store.

Other August lilies that can be found with minimal searching include the popular “Guacamole” showing off sassy avocado-colored leaves; “So Sweet,” the 1996 Hosta of the Year with foliage that shimmers in shades of cream and green; and “Sugar Babe,” a petite, variegated pretty with scented, amethyst-streaked blossoms.

Online hunting will find other selections for sale, of course, but try local garden centers first because they, too, know well the dreamy appeal of these enchanting lilies of August.