The Art of Growing Great Hostas
This lens is all about gardenings most popular shade plant, the hosta. In fact with new sun tolerant varieties it is quite likely the most popular all round perennial. Many new introductions are offered every year. Often forgotten is the fact hostas also produce beautiful delicate flowers. Hostas also add interest, substance and sophistication to every garden.
New Table of Contents
- Hosta Basics
- Hosta Propagation
- Planting Hostas
- Mulch and Fertilize Hostas
- Pests and Disease
- Gardening Links - Find Knowledge and Tips
- Ezine Articles
- Recommended Links For Growing Hostas
- Whats New At My Website - HostasNLilies.com ?
- Awesome Nurseries and Garden Supplies
- New Igo GREEN Tip of the Day
- Hosta Books
- Hosta Photo's
- My Other Gardening Lenses
- Hostas on eBay
- More Hosta Literature
- Reader Feedback
Hosta Basics
Hostas come in a wide variety of sizes, shapes and colors. Grown primarily for their foliage, they come in various hues of blue,green,white and gold with solid or variegated characteristics. It will take 3 or 4 years for a plant to display the characteristics of a mature plant. Hostas do well in zones 3 - 8.There is a staggering number of varieties and choice basically comes down to taste and budget. Your average priced hostas are $6-8 but can get up over $100. Growing great hostas begins with great stock. Be sure to buy your plants from a reputable nursery to ensure quality,health and success.
Hosta Propagation
If you already have hostas growing that are healthy and vigorous you can also get more stock by division. Dividing can be done from spring thru early fall. This involves digging up a mature plant and splitting it up by spade, cutting or pulling apart. Just be sure your division has at least one upwards shoot, part of the fleshy material and some roots attached. Always be sure to disinfect cutting implements between each cut to help protect against hosta virus x. This is discussed in more detail a little further down. It seems ruthless but these pieces will grow just fine. For more info on dividing go to our websitewww.hostasnlilies.com
Another great article on hosta division can be found here
How To Divide a Hosta
Hostas can also be grown from seed but do not come true except for hosta ventricosa. However it is fun to start seeds and see what does come up.
Planting Hostas
When selecting your planting site keep in mind hostas are shade tolerant and not shade loving. They will not thrive in deep shade. They seem to do best with morning shade and afternoon sun. If this isn't possible plant them between other plants to help defer some of the suns rays. Also check the variety as some are quite sun tolerant. In general we find a little too much sun is better than no sun.
If in a bright location be sure to keep well watered. Make sure you have your planting location well worked up with loose soil deeper than the plant and 8-12 inches wide. A good plan is twice the depth and width of the new plant. Also remember that a mature plant can occupy 3 or 4 sq ft. Plant the crown or the point where the leaves and roots meet at ground level.
For bareroots such as we ship, it is good practice to soak the roots in tepid water for 30 minutes and be sure roots are spread out when planting. Once the roots are spread in the hole and supported by a small hill of soil fill with dirt being sure not to leave any air pockets around the roots. A good soaking of the soil will help firm the soil and get your new plant started.
If you are looking for the ultimate gardening ebook this is it. Covers everything about gardening including both flowers and vegetables. Gardening Guide Ebook
If in a bright location be sure to keep well watered. Make sure you have your planting location well worked up with loose soil deeper than the plant and 8-12 inches wide. A good plan is twice the depth and width of the new plant. Also remember that a mature plant can occupy 3 or 4 sq ft. Plant the crown or the point where the leaves and roots meet at ground level.
For bareroots such as we ship, it is good practice to soak the roots in tepid water for 30 minutes and be sure roots are spread out when planting. Once the roots are spread in the hole and supported by a small hill of soil fill with dirt being sure not to leave any air pockets around the roots. A good soaking of the soil will help firm the soil and get your new plant started.
If you are looking for the ultimate gardening ebook this is it. Covers everything about gardening including both flowers and vegetables. Gardening Guide Ebook
Mulch and Fertilize Hostas
Mulching will help keep roots moist and supress weeds. Just be sure you aren't creating a home for slugs, snails or rodents. Try to avoid getting water on the foliage. Keep the plant watered but not soaked as that will encourage root rot.
Once established some fertilizer will keep it fed. You can either use a liquid or a granular slow release type. Either way keep the fertilizer off the foliage. Don't fertilize after late July as you don't want to encourage new growth too late in the growing season.
Hostas are very winter hardy and great for northern climates. You can leave the dead foliage in place and any fallen leaves etc will serve as mulch. Hostas downfall would be going too far south such as Florida. They need a cold period. In fact they need around 700 hours at 4c.
This is a great source for organic supplies plus a great selection of garden tools. Grab this great deal before it runs out !
New at Gardens Alive! - $20 Off $40 Or More!
Once established some fertilizer will keep it fed. You can either use a liquid or a granular slow release type. Either way keep the fertilizer off the foliage. Don't fertilize after late July as you don't want to encourage new growth too late in the growing season.
Hostas are very winter hardy and great for northern climates. You can leave the dead foliage in place and any fallen leaves etc will serve as mulch. Hostas downfall would be going too far south such as Florida. They need a cold period. In fact they need around 700 hours at 4c.
This is a great source for organic supplies plus a great selection of garden tools. Grab this great deal before it runs out !
New at Gardens Alive! - $20 Off $40 Or More!
Pests and Disease
Hostas biggest pests are deer, slugs and snails. Deer can be a challenge in some areas but there are many new products which repel them and strategic planting locations are also a protective measure. Slugs can be kept in check with diatomaceous earth, ashes, copper strips, beer traps, board traps and chemical baits.
This is a great source for everything organic in horticulture.
ARBICO Organics: Eco-Conscious Solutions to Pest Problems
The major disease concern today is called hosta virus x. This causes discoloration, disfiguration and spreads by sap. So anytime you are dividing,scaping or cutting in any way disinfect between cuts.
Check out our website here for great tips and daylilies.
www.hostasnlilies.com
Your greatest protection is by purchasing plants from reputable nurseries who dilingently destroy suspected infections and take every step to ensure disease free stock.
This is a great source for everything organic in horticulture.
ARBICO Organics: Eco-Conscious Solutions to Pest Problems
The major disease concern today is called hosta virus x. This causes discoloration, disfiguration and spreads by sap. So anytime you are dividing,scaping or cutting in any way disinfect between cuts.
Check out our website here for great tips and daylilies.
www.hostasnlilies.com
Your greatest protection is by purchasing plants from reputable nurseries who dilingently destroy suspected infections and take every step to ensure disease free stock.
Gardening Links - Find Knowledge and Tips
Great article on growing and propagating hostas.
Great Hosta Tips
This guy has some great ideas on gardening and everything from pest control to making your own growing medium. Free ebook and a number of free plans. Check him out at
Learn From Mike
Now you have your Hostas in place- what about watering during those dry summer months? This ebook teaches everything about flower garden and lawn irrigation. A must for serious gardeners
How To Irrigate Effectively
This is a neat one page primer on growing hostas.
Growing and Propagating Hostas
Great Hosta Tips
This guy has some great ideas on gardening and everything from pest control to making your own growing medium. Free ebook and a number of free plans. Check him out at
Learn From Mike
Now you have your Hostas in place- what about watering during those dry summer months? This ebook teaches everything about flower garden and lawn irrigation. A must for serious gardeners
How To Irrigate Effectively
This is a neat one page primer on growing hostas.
Growing and Propagating Hostas
Ezine Articles
This article Hosta Tips is one I had published at Ezine Articles. It is a handy condensed Hosta growing guide that is easy to print.
Recommended Links For Growing Hostas
- Growing Hostas
- Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet
Horticulture and Crop Science
2001 Fyffe Court, Columbus, OH 43210-1096Growing Hostas
HYG-1239-02Gretchen Heinke, Master Gardener, Franklin County
Central Ohio Hosta Society, Member and Past PresidentJane Martin, Extension Agent, HorticultureHostas are extr - National Gardening Association :: National Gardening Association
- Information and inspiration on gardening with answers to questions about lawns, landscapes, trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs and flowers, organic gardens, compost, urban, soil, design, roses, tomato, how to grow in containers.
- Growing Hostas
- Horticulture Fact Sheet
H-98-035
The University
of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Cooperative Extension Service
Growing HostasRobert R. Westerfield, Extension Consumer Horticulturist-OrnamentalsHostas are quickly becoming one of the most popular perennial plants gro - Hosta Forum - GardenWeb
- This forum is for the discussion of plants belonging to the genus Hosta.
- Hosta Virus X in MA
- Massachusetts
Introduced Pests Outreach Project - Gardening : Animals : Slug Control : Home & Garden Television
- Tips for reducing your slug problems.
Whats New At My Website - HostasNLilies.com ?
Things are crazy hectic right now and to make things worse we are offering a couple of crazy specials - Canadian Blue hostas are only $4 and Frans Hals daylilies are also only $4 - while supplies last ! Hosta Special
Awesome Nurseries and Garden Supplies
These nurseries and suppliers have been selected by us for their great plants and excellent customer service. Since we can only ship within Canada these nurseries are our U.S extension. Give them a try and I know you won't be disapointed !
Take advantage of these great deals before they are gone.
New at Gardens Alive! - $20 Off $40 Or More!
Spring Hill Gardens - $25 Off $50
Gardeners' Choice offers the highest quality horticulture at affordable prices
Arbico Organics - Click here now and save 10%
Save 25% or more on selected plants. Nature Hills Nursery Weekly Specials.
Burgess Seed & Plant Co.
Take advantage of these great deals before they are gone.
New at Gardens Alive! - $20 Off $40 Or More!
Spring Hill Gardens - $25 Off $50
Gardeners' Choice offers the highest quality horticulture at affordable prices
Arbico Organics - Click here now and save 10%
Save 25% or more on selected plants. Nature Hills Nursery Weekly Specials.
Burgess Seed & Plant Co.
- Canadian Link
- This is the link for our Canadian homepage.
New Igo GREEN Tip of the Day
Hosta Books
The Color Encyclopedia of Hostas
Amazon Price: $32.97 (as of 07/10/2009) 
Timber Press Pocket Guide to Hostas (Timber Press Pocket Guides)
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 07/10/2009)
The New Encyclopedia of Hostas
Amazon Price: $32.97 (as of 07/10/2009)
Hosta Photo's
Front Yard and Hosta...
Hosta Garden - early...
Hostas!
Hosta Garden - Week...
DSC_1178_edited
My Other Gardening Lenses
If you love Daylilies please look here
GreatDaylilies
GreatDaylilies
Hostas on eBay
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
More Hosta Literature
The Hosta Book
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Perennials All Season : Planning and Planting an Ever-Blooming Garden
Amazon Price: (as of 07/10/2009)
Reader Feedback
0ctavias0fferings wrote...
Excellent lens, I have hostas in my garden (and a lens about the garden too) and I just love the effect they give. The first hostas I planted didn't last long but now that I've created a lot of shady corners they are beginning to thrive.
I didn't know about the sun tolerant varieties, must see if I can get some, although I particularly like hostas in the shade because they seem to give light where you plant them.
Posted August 25, 2008
bjslapidary wrote...
Great Lens. Love Hostas. They are such a pleasure to grow. Thanks for the info.
Posted June 21, 2008
flowergardener wrote...
Welcome to the Flowers, Flowers, and more Flowers group!
Posted April 15, 2008
Lensmaster
tthompson
Last year I purchased a bunch of different hostas and lilies from the www.hostasnlilies.com website. Not only was I amazed with the quality and care of the bulbs I recieved, Paul the owner was very friendly and could answer any questions I had! I would recommend this business to anyone who is looking for a quality perennial that is worth their money! I'm looking forward to placing a order this coming spring.
M.Davis
Waterloo, Ontario
Posted March 13, 2008
Lensmaster
kailey
We bought our hostas from the hostasnlilies.com website last year. They were awesome! I never believed in buying plants through the internet, but this was definitely a pleasant surprise!
Thanks!
Kailey
Newmarket ON.
Posted March 08, 2008
by PaulMT
Growing great hostas has been our business since 1995. Offering top quality plants at fair prices is what we are all about. We take great pleasure in... (more)
