Basic Hosta Care

Hostas are known for their elegance, diversity and hardiness.  Did you know there are more than 8,000 registered hostas? Each registered plant is varies in its leaf colours, shape and size, flowers and stems. Some flowers are quite scented too.

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Location:  A good rule of thumb for the placement and care of hostas is the lighter the foliage, the brighter the sun. The deeper darker foliage retains it color best in moderate shade. The variegated varieties need more sunlight to keep their white and gold stripes. All hostas need some shade and few, if any, will do well in strong direct sunlight. Hostas generally mature in four to eight years. 

Soil:  Hostas enjoy rich organic soil with a slight acidic pH.  When planting, dig a hole approximately 30cm (1 foot) deep and wide enough to accommodate the spread of a full-sized plant.  

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Watering: Hostas are an excellent garden plant as they are generally drought-resistant. I enjoy walking my gardens each morning. Morning dew is an indication they will have enough water to get them through the day.  If your leaves are wilting and the soil is dry, then water the root area in early morning or after the sun as gone down. Rain water is best. Best results if you can void watering the leaves. 

Drainage:   When newly planted, keep the roots moist, not wet until it has established in your garden. Over- watering can bring on unnecessary disease or rot. Once established, hostas don't require a lot of care. That is the beauty of this lovely perennial.

Slugs: can be an issue, especially to the more delicate-leafed hosta varieties. There are several ways to address this issue.  Bait products are effective; be sure to get the kind that is harmless to children and pets.