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Thursday, May 31, 2012

Hostas

Hostas are great plants for shade gardens. In the summer, they have spikes of lavender or white blooms. While the flowers are pretty, hostas are best known for their beautiful leaves. These lily-like plants are native to Northeast Asia. They are named in honor of the Austrian botanist, Nicholas Thomas Host. There are more than 2,500 varieties.
Here are a few of the most popular: Gold Standard (yellow leaves with green edges), Francee (green leaves with white edges), June (blue green leaves with creamy centers), and Sum and Substance (chartreuse yellow leaves). Most hostas prefer morning sun and afternoon shade. In general, blue leafed hostas require shade, while gold, yellow, and white-leafed hostas can tolerate more sun.
Hostas grow best in a rich, organic soil that is well drained and slightly acidic. They should get an inch of water per week. Hostas can be propagated by dividing them. This is best done in early spring.
The hosta plant is round in shape and can range in size from a few inches in diameter to 8 feet wide. They reach full maturity in 4-8 years. Unfortunately, hostas are a favorite food for deer, slugs, and snails. Try to plant them in areas where deer do not wander. If slugs are a problem, you can try slug poison which can be found at garden supply stores, or you can try putting out a shallow dish with beer in it. Slugs can't seem to resist beer, and when they drink it, they usually drown in it.

13 comments:

  1. I loved this post! --I am in the midst of getting our garden in shape (It need a lot of work out :-)) and I would love to see this plant in our garden. --Will try to find it in our nearby nurseries. Thank you for sharing!

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    1. It will probably look beautiful in your garden. Good luck with your gardening!

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  2. Now I want to plant one just so I can put beer out for the slugs!

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    1. LOL! It's so entertaining to watch slugs drown in beer.

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  3. my hostas do pretty well in my very sunny front yard--i have never seen the blue ones---gorgeous!

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    1. I love my blue hostas. They're huge! They look great with my hydrangeas.

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  4. It is hard for me to resist beer also! Lovely plants and I think I know now what I want to plant near my tree. Thanks!

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    1. LOL! Hostas will be a good choice for under your tree.

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  5. Gorgeous plants and such exotic leaves. I will have to find one. We have a shade spot under a tree where callas bloom every year so maybe a hostas this year to keep them company. Thanks!

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    1. I love my hostas. If you get some, I hope you enjoy them!

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  6. Those blue hostas are pretty. Hostas seem to do quite well in most gardens.

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  7. One year the deer ate all my hosta off right to the ground. They've been letting it alone lately but I can't plant any flowers in my back yard.

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