It Hosta Be You (Hostas)

Member Name: Emmald

Product:	Hostas
Date:	20/02/09 (112 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A good inexpensive plant for tubs and gardens

Disadvantages: The slugs love them!

I don`t think a single year has passed that I haven`t introduced yet another new Hosta into one of my garden pots. Last year I bought two, one variegated green and one blue tinged, Hubby tidied the pots and decided that the sad looking stumps that remained at the end of the season were only fit for the bin and that is where they ended up!
I love the Hosta plant but sadly the slugs seem to love them too and despite a nightly slug inspection they still find ways of climbing into the pots, wiggling across the mighty uncomfortable base of cracked egg shell that I have laid to deter them and then munching the succulent plants, stripping them systematically, much to my annoyance!
If I plant Hosta`s straight into the ground they just don`t stand an earthly , maybe lasting a couple of days maximum before they are reduced to slug fodder.

The Hosta is a Herbaceous perennial, which in fact means that the plant has a lifespan of around three years. Some perennials may live longer and some may only survive for a year or so.
There are many types of Hosta and they are often categorised by colour, variegated, green leaf, gold leaf, blue leaf. As well as having many different colours they vary tremendously in shape and size, they can have long, round flat or concave leaves, some leaves are smooth and others are bubbled.
Hosta`s do produce flowers, granted they aren't among the most attractive that I have come across but again the flower shape, size and colour much depends on the type of Hosta.

If you are lucky enough not to be plagued with slugs and can plant Hosta`s directly into the garden they act as good ground covering plants, a seemingly small Hosta will soon gather speed and bush out well.
The majority of Hosta`s prefer a shady part of the garden, if they are put into strong sunlight it affects their leaves and instead of lush green leaves you end up with yellow streaked leaves.
But there is an exception to the rule, the fragrant Hosta needs some sunlight to encourage it`s white perfumed flowers to bloom in late summer.

Hosta`s are low maintenance, they do love water though and enjoy a regular drink. I have seen Hosta`s planted in among lavender and other shrubs and they look wonderful, they can be spectacular if they are planted in a row to form a type of border.
By rule of thumb I would fertilise them maybe every three or four months to encourage growth.
When the Hosta dies back at the end of the season then remove the upper leaves and just leave the plant safely where it is.

I am always astounded at the price of some plants on offer in our local garden centres but Hosta`s always seem to be affordable.
My first choice would be the blue hosta, the leaves radiate warmth and are quite beautiful in their own way.
If you are lucky enough to be able to keep them in garden pots and tubs among your other plants, they can make a highly attractive display and won`t cost a small fortune either.

Summary: Good ground cover but watch out for those pesky slugs!