HOSTAS - ARCHITECTURE IN YOUR GARDEN (Hostas)

Member Name: Ann J Sec

Product:	Hostas
Date:	10/01/01 (180 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Gives architectural balance to garden

Disadvantages: Snails snails and more snails

I intended actually to write about Euphorbia, but as I'm new to Dooyoo, I'm just starting to find my way around and because I came across Hostas in the categories, I decided to write about them instead.

Well what can I say..I admit to not having a great deal of horticultural knowledge, but I do love plants. I'll begin by saying there is room in even the smallest garden, or even back yard or patio for hostas. They can be planted in borders, around ponds or even in pots to great effect. They add character and architecture to garden areas and can be used as an efficient divider to break up expanses of flowers which would otherwise clash in colour.

They are extremely easy to propagate, you merely lift and divide them in early spring before they are too well grown. Hostas are perennials and the clumps grow in size each year so your initial outlay will be rewarded for years to come.

Set around a pond they become a haven for frogs and toads to hide beneath and as the plant is addictive to snails, these creatures never have to look far for their evening meal. This is perhaps the plant's downfall as it can be devoured in just one evening by snails and it is heartbreaking to see what was a beautiful plant one day reduced to ribbons the next. The snails can be deterred however by surrounding the Hostas with grit or eggshells, or even by going out at night with a torch and trowel and crushing them (if you aren't too squeamish). Look out for curious neighbours though who may think you've had a breakdown!

Hostas prefer moist shady conditions, but it is possible to grow them in sunnier positions, although unfortunately this seems to alter their colours somewhat, especially the darker leaved varieties.

The flowers of the Hosta aren't particularly impressive and indeed I personally often cut them off and use them indoors instead to complement indoor flower arrangements.

I would recommend you be
g some spring divisions off friends if they have Hostas rather than buying them from garden centres where usually quite extortionate prices are charged. However, as I've already stated your initial layout will be recompensed over the years as long as you keep the snails away.

Finally, take care during the spring months when Hostas are first poking through as it is easy to dig through them and cause extensive damage which can be heartbreaking.

This is a plant I would thoroughly recommend to others though.

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