Heigh-Ho! Hostas! ABC Wednesday post

I was once told the Hosta is related to the plantain weed found in the lawn.  Because they both have large leaves, I thought it was plausible.  However, there's a distinction between the two types of plants:  "Click" these words for information from Wikipedia on plantain.  Doing a google search will net much more information...  we can eat it!  :-)

Okay.  Back to Hosta!  They are often called Plantain Lily; more often in Great Britain than here in the United States .  (Comments from my UK friends?)

While opinions differ as to the best time to plant, it seems the easiest to divide older plants in the early Spring, just as the plant begins to show itself.  One must make sure to have a root system within each division.  I very often plant hosta in early Fall (now!), as there is still time for the root system to establish itself before the weather turns cold.

Did you know that some people believe the hosta is the number one selling plant in the country?

 Hosta best enjoy being planted in locations with "deep shade"areas with up to 4 hours of sunlight, but seem to prefer mostly dappled sunlight.  Overall, avoid planting in late afternoon direct sunlight.   If your hosta receives late afternoon sun but you notice the leaves turning dry and brown, they are probably experiencing sunscald.  It generally won't kill them, but it does nothing for their appearance!      (The photo below was taken from the University of Minnesota Extension.)

For sunnier sites, plants in the Hosta plantaginea group will fare better, and actually develop more of the fragrant flowers they are known for; ‘August Moon’, ‘Sum and Substance’, ‘Honeybells’ are in this category. Hosta breeders continue to develop new varieties with greater sun tolerance; ‘Sundance’ and ‘Sun Glow’ fit into this category. At the same time these hostas will still tolerate shade, giving gardeners greater flexibility in site location.

The hosta plants below range from mini to small.

Hostas prefer rich, moist soil that is high in organic matter, yet well drained.  Adding organic materials such as peat, composted manure, or leaves will help improve soil structure and tilth. That said, hostas are generally adaptable and survive in a wide range of soils, adding to their ease of growing and popularity.  Mulching with shredded leaves might invite the slug - a pest that enjoys chomping on hosta leaves!

Hostas require an adequate supply of water to thrive. Hosta leaves have a large surface area and, due to transpiration, lose water easily.  If you find yourself needing to water,  be consistent with even moisture equaling an inch or so of water per week. Deeper watering done with less frequency is better than frequent shallow applications that do not penetrate the root zone.

Hostas planted in dry shade will need attentive watering; rain does not always reach under eaves of buildings or through tree canopies in sufficient amounts. Planting hostas beneath shallow-rooted trees, such as maples or spruce will require extra watering to both establish and maintain the health of the plant.

You will find hostas that thrive in growing zones 2 through 9.  My zone has changed in the past few years from 4 to 5 - a little more "balmy!"  ;-)

I'm a Hosta Lover, especially because I have a lot of shade in my backyard.  However, hosta enjoy the company of other plants, too!

The next few photos show some of the new varieties I've planted in these last couple of weeks!  :-)

Hale and Hearty!
Happy Hosta Lover!
SG

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