Symbolizing love and devotion, hostas are shade-tolerant foliage plants that thrive from early spring to late summer. They’re a great addition to perennial gardens, woodland gardens, areas needing ground cover, suburban yards or even outdoor containers.
Love and Care
Hostas love mild temperatures and grow best in partial shade. When planting a hosta, the crown of the plant (where the root meets the stem) should sit 1-inch below the soil line. These plants do great in rich, well-drained soil and thrive when exposed to constant moisture. These plants are also especially convenient because they require minimal to no pruning and don’t require fertilizer. Something to look out for when caring for hostas is how they attract rabbits and deer. These animals love to eat hostas. To prevent this from happening, be sure to plant them in safe, deer-free zones.
Heat Wave
One of the biggest difficulties when growing hostas is dealing with intense summer heat waves. There are a few ways you can keep your hostas out of the full sun and the summer heat. If the hostas are small enough or in easy-to-move containers, you can move the plants into a cooler, shadier area during heatwaves. If they are planted in the ground or too large to move, shade netting and umbrellas are two solutions to beating the heat. Keeping your plants hydrated is also incredibly important. Making sure they keep a deep watering helps promote the plant’s root moisture and makes them more durable in warmer temperatures. If any leaves get burnt or damaged in the sun, it’s best to cut and remove them to allow for more growth. Finally, mulching the area the hostas are planted in can also help in hot weather. Organic materials, like wood chips, will work to stabilize the soil temperature and promote air flow.
Keep your hostas cool from the heat!
Tips from Hostas on the Bluff.
1. Plenty of water! Hostas are very tough plants, but keeping them extra watered this time of year will help keep them looking good.
2. While hostas need some sun to grow, to keep them looking nice all summer, plant in a place that protects them from the intense summer sun.
3. If you are wanting to plant a hosta that gets a little more sun, choose a variety that is sun tolerant, such as Grand Tiara or June.
4. You can always plant hostas with another plant that will help provide shade, such as a hydrangea bush.
5. Don’t be afraid to pull off the worst of the leaves. It will help to give them a fresher look.
Hot Hostas
These hostas will take your garden to the next level.
Emma Rose: This eye-catching hosta is a one-of-a-kind find at Hostas on the Bluff in Fairview Heights. Named Emma Rose, after the owner's daughter, this plant features giant bright, wide yellow-green leaves that add shape and color to your shade garden.
‘Deja Blu’ Hosta: This blue-green leafed plant grows to be around 14-inches tall and 20-inches wide. The gold edge around the colorful center adds a playful touch to the low-maintenance plant.
‘Blue Angel’ Hosta: This hosta packs a powerful punch with large blue leaves that cascade out from the center of the plant. Growing to be around 32-inches tall and 70-inches wide, ‘Blue Angel’ Hostas are also notable for their bell-shaped white flowers that grow from the top of the plant.
‘Sagae’ Hosta: Similar to the ‘Deja Blu’ hosta, the ‘Sagae’ variety have blue-green leaves surrounded by a gold edge. Something that makes this variety stand out is its height. Growing to be 20-inches tall and 54-inches wide, ‘Sagae’ hostas are a great centerpiece for your shade garden.
“Hostas are great because anyone from the experienced gardener to an absolute beginner can have them in the garden. They are hardy and low maintenance and grow best in shady areas with a couple hours of morning sun. Add in some bonus watering when it's extra hot and you are all set. You can find hostas from a miniature size to a giant size in gorgeous yellows, blues, greens or a combination of those. We just cannot recommend them enough!” Erica Kniffin, owner of Hostas on the Bluff.
