Hostas are one of my favorite plants, but it wasn't
always that way. At one time I actually gave away
hostas that I found in my backyard when we bought
our first home! I think we go through stages as
gardeners, and the first stage is to want as many
colors and blooms as possible in our landscape.
Then, as we become more "mature" gardeners we
start developing an appreciation for foliage, and
other plant characteristics. The only hostas I had
really seen when I first started gardening were
often ragged looking and always had the flower
stalk attached after the blooms were long gone. I
learned that hostas are a VERY attractive plant to
slugs, but that with a few eggshells around them
early in the year and a practice of keeping the
ground around them free of debris they don't have
to look that way!
Hostas will grow in deeper shade, but they really
do their best with about 6 hours of sun per day.
Choose the blue-leafed hostas if you have to
locate them in less sunlight. They do better with
more shade. If you want to put them in a sunny
spot choose the yellow or whiter leafed varieties.
Hostas are great for beds where you have spring
bulbs and your early blooming perennials. After
they are finished, the hosta leaves will really take
off and cover those spaces. 
Consider planting
them with the beautiful blooms of impatiens or
begonias as well.
Work compost into the soil where you are planting
hostas. They grow from a "rhizome", like irises do,
but much easier to grow! IF you are in an area where
slugs are not a problem, perhaps your heat is dry, then
use mulch on the hostas to keep them moist. You will
want to keep them out of the direct sunlight in very hot
climates. I have one spot under a tree in the front that I
can mulch, but in the back I can't or the slugs would hide
and eat away at night. If your hosta doesn't do well in
one spot then try another! They transplant very easily.
Dig under and around the roots, then prepare a hole
bigger than the rhizomes, adding some compost and
water to the hole before putting in the hostas. Cover and
pat down the soil, then water again. Mulch if you are
going to do that.
Hostas die back each year-they get very mushy at the
first frost-so in the fall as soon as you get a very light
frost, cut them back-it's much easier to do this then
clean them up in the spring. You can divide your
plants in the spring or late summer. Dig up the hosta
and divide the clumps in half or if they are large, into
several sections. Use a sharp knife if need be.
Replant as I instructed for transplanting, but leave
off the mulch until they start growing fairly well. You
may find that they will not bloom the first year after
transplanting but they will still grow foliage.
A few more tips: Water in the mornings so they
are not damp at night. If you mulch, only pack it
about one inch deep. Hostas only need a little
bit of fertilizing. A slow released type in the spring
is usually good enough.
In warm climates: Hostas generally need a cold
period to do their best, but if you try a variety such
as Royal Standard, Honeybells, H. Plantagiven or
Fragrant Bouquet, you may have a better chance
at doing well with them. Remember, plant them
out of direct sun and mulch in warm climates.
Hostas can also be grown in a container! Use a
soil mix made for containers-not soil out of the
garden. Make sure there is good drainage and
apply the same location tips as I mentioned above.
You can store your container hostas in an garage
or unheated porch for the winter, or dig a large
hole and store it in the ground until spring, then
dig it up and replant in the container. Be sure to
mark the spot well where you planted it!
Hostas are wonderful additions to every garden.
Don't think of them as a boring plant, or one to
stick alone under the shade of a tree. Mix them
with color, try new varieties and don't be afraid
to move them or try new things! Their foliage
can add texture and character to landscapes.
About the author:
Brenda Hyde is a wife and mom to three living in the Midwest
United States. She is also editor of OldFashionedLiving.com.
Perennial & Landscaping Resources
Breck's: Bulbs & Plants
Spring Hill Nursery
Michigan Bulb
Henry Field's
Gurney's Seed & Nursery
Jackson & Perkins
Nature Hills Nursery
