They run along the edges of sidewalks and lounge in perennial beds. Although some don’t mind sun, they relax when trees lend their shade. And sometimes, they offer shade, too – to a heat-weary frog or wayward toad, even to a few sleepy insects. They almost always play a supporting role, and won’t have dramatic fits when they’re not the “star.”
But these days, better watch out because the common hosta? Well, it is going a little glam.
Halcyon Hosta (Hosta ‘Halcyon’) – Pest Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Pollinator Friendly
No more plain-Jane, green-leaves-just-for-shade like grandma once had. Hostas are one of the hottest plant trends in Midwest Gardens. That’s due to a variety of factors, but primarily because there’s simply more variety. Add to that – more hostas now are resistant to disease, slugs, critters, deer and various environmental factors like salt and drought.
In a wide range of foliage shapes and sizes, the once-ordinary hosta is evolving with stylish colors, textures, flowers and patterns, from waves and ripples to speckles and borders. With 70 species and more than 3,000 registered varieties in the United States to choose from, the only issue with hosta seems to be deciding which one to plant.
Patriot Hosta (Hosta x ‘Patriot’) – Air Purifier, Drought Tolerant, Water-Wise
One thing to consider is the style of your landscape design. Match your hosta selection with its vibe. If the garden is casual and contemporary, you might choose First Frost or Patriot hosta. Traditional? We’ll suggest Blue Angel or Halcyon. If the design is jazzy with bold color, check out Gold Standard or June hosta. And once you decide, hostas are easy to put in the ground.
Hostas are leafy perennials that are native to northeast Asia. In some parts of the world, they’re known as plantain lilies and in Japan, as gibōshi. Symbolically, hostas represent love and devotion, so you may want to keep this in mind and plant a few varieties for mom next Mother’s Day.
June Hosta (Hosta x ‘June’) – Erosion Control, Weed Control, Pollinator Friendly
Characteristically, hostas have ribbed leaves that unfurl from a cluster at the base of the plant. Flowers are generally pink, lavender or white and some have fragrance. They bloom at the tip of long stalks that emerge from the foliage between May and September, depending on variety. Habits are generally mounded and can spread 6 inches to 5 feet wide. Heights range from a few inches to more than 4 feet tall. Mid-size height, though, is about 1 to 2 feet.
Hostas can take two to four years to reach their mature size, so give them plenty of room to grow. While they’ll do okay in part sun or dappled shade, hostas perform best in shade. That’s why you’ll see so many resting under trees or planted in mixed-light areas of perennial beds and borders, including tucked under taller, more upright shrubs and perennials. If you must plant hostas in sun, don’t expose them to more than six hours and be sure they get adequate moisture.
First Frost Hosta (Hosta x ‘First Frost’) – Frost Tolerant, Pest Resistant, Environmentally Versatile
Although drought tolerant, hostas thrive in fertile, moist soil where water drains easily. Apply a 3-inch layer of leaf or shredded hardwood bark mulch to the top of soil two or three times a year. This will help it retain water that feeds the plant’s roots.
In spring before new growth emerges, lightly sprinkle slow-release granular fertilizer on the ground at the base of the plant. Try not to get fertilizer on its crown or foliage as it’ll burn the hosta. Water newly planted or transplanted hostas bi-weekly for the first month. After that, they and other established perennial plants need about 1 inch of moisture per week.
Blue Angel Hosta (Hosta ‘Blue Angel’) – Drought and Salt Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Cut Flowers
Hostas are one of the easiest plants in the landscape to grow – and to divide. To manage the health and habit of the plant, divide them every three or four years in early spring or fall.
Simply dig up the plant and pull or cut the roots apart using a knife or a shovel. Make sure each new plant has a crown (the part of the plant that emerges from the ground) and roots. In most cases, this is very visible. Remove broken roots and bent leaves. Plant the divisions in areas of the landscape you’ve identified. Add fertilizer and amend the soil with compost.
Gold Standard Hosta (Hosta fortunei ‘Gold Standard’) – Part Shade to Full Sun, Tolerates Variety of Soils, Low Maintenance
Hostas are perennial plants, meaning they re-emerge year after year for you and nature’s pollinators to enjoy. In late fall, most varieties will turn yellow and die back as they go into dormancy for the winter months. But don’t worry. There’s a lot going on beneath the soil, where hostas roots supply nutrients they need to manage through the winter – and thrive again in spring.
Learn More About Loma Vista Nursery’s Landscape Plants
Loma Vista Nursery grows a variety of perennials, trees and shrubs for Midwest independent garden centers, landscape contractors and wholesale distributors. Our staff members – all experts in the field – love helping people learn about plants and the healthy varieties we grow.
For help with orders and plant-related questions, send an email to sales@lomavistanursery.com or call (785) 229-7200. Review Loma Vista Nursery’s plant catalog for information and visit our website to learn about our values and best practices as a Midwest plant grower.
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