There are many varieties of hostas in various sizes and colors. All hostas have short stems with large leaves that often appear to grow straight out of the ground. The leaves are available in white, yellow, green, blue and as a combination of these colors. Hosta flowers are secondary to foliage and can be cone-shaped or bell-shaped. The flowers are usually white, purple or with a two-color striped pattern.
Steps
Step 1. Purchase hosta plants grown in the fields
You can buy them from a local nursery, garden center or, by mail, from a company that can offer a greater variety of choices.
You can grow hostas via seeds, but the germination rate is very low. Additionally, most plants produced from non-hybridized seeds are small, thin and not as attractive as hybrid plants
Step 2. Choose an area in the yard that receives partial sun
Hostas tolerate shade, but they don't like it. They survive in full shade, but grow best in areas that receive some sun and are shaded during the hot afternoon.
Step 3. Prepare the ground
Work the soil to soften it to a depth of 30-45cm. Modify the soil with compost, humus, or sand as needed. Hostas prefer soft, well-drained soils.
Step 4. Arrange the plants in the garden at a distance of 25 - 60 cm
The space varies depending on the type of host and how much it should grow.
- Fast growing hostas produce shorter plants. The roots develop and propagate on the surface, so they work well as a ground cover. Place these plants closer together to prevent weeds from growing.
- Varieties that grow at least 30 centimeters in height and develop more horizontally than vertically can be spread closer together and used as a border or edging plants. These types of hostas are also commonly used around the base of trees.
Step 5. Mulch the soil around the hosta plants to help retain moisture and slow weed growth
When they are attached, they won't need much weeding.
- Use cocoa litter or pine straw to mulch around these plants. These products have the added benefit of repelling snails too, the biggest parasitic problem affecting hostas. Avoid using shredded leaves or other plant matter for mulching, as these products attract snails.
- Keep the mulch layer 5cm thick or less. Excessive mulching around hostas encourages voles (field mice) to tunnel through it and eat the hosta leaves.
Step 6. Water the hosta plants regularly
These broadleaf plants have a high moisture transpiration rate, so they require a lot of water. Although they are drought tolerant, hostas thrive best if they have 2.5-5cm of water weekly. For best results, water the plants every 2-4 days.
Step 7. Divide your hosta plants to create new plants if they start to overcrowd
Hostas can be split at any time; but, if you live in an area with severe winters, it is best to divide and transplant the hostas in spring so that, in the first frosts, they are already stabilized.
- Pull a hosta plant out of the ground and leave it on the soil surface.
- Use a sharp knife or shovel to cut the plant into 2 or 3 pieces. Make sure there is at least one regrowth stem (or eye) on each new plant.
- Put one piece of the plant back into the original hole and transplant the other pieces into new places.
