Hosta
Notes Greg and Trish Rux
Hostas are shade tolerant perennials grown mainly for their foliage. They are easy to grow and available in many sizes, textures, and colorful variegations.
Hostas mature in 3-6 years forming clumps usually either rounded or vase-like in shape. Leaf shapes may be rounded, lance-shaped, oval, or heart-shaped and may display differing textures, twists, and surfaces. The substance or thickness of the leaf is another characteristic.
The variety of variegation is astounding with various shades of green, white, gold, blue and cream predominant. Some hosta even have red petioles.
Hosta flowers are usually white or some shade of lavender. Fragrance is found in some hosta flowers.
Hostas grow in many conditions, but the best soil is fertile, moist but well drained, and slightly acidic. A balanced fertilizer should be used in spring as either a granular feeding or a foliar spray. Stop fertilizing at least one month before the expected first frost. Water well especially in spring and taper the watering as the plants go dormant. Use mulch to control weeds, retain moistuer and as decoration keeping the mulch 3-4 inches from the stems.
Hostas tolerate division well and have been called “The Friendship Plant” due to the ease of division.
Slugs, rabbits and deer are the main pests of hostas and can cause considerable leaf damage. Several home treatments and chemical aids are available to combat these pests. If you choose to use chemicals against slugs it is important to start the abatement program early and keep a regular schedule of maintenance. Diseases in hosta are few, but include foliar nematodes, stem blight, and viruses.
Hosta prices vary on the supply and demand principle. As new varieties are hybridized or as new sports, seedlings, or mutations are discovered, the price is high until enough plants are in the marketplace. Tissue culture of hostas brings the price down quicker, but not all varieties are amenable to the process.
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