Hostas are one of the Queens of the shady garden. They add bold texture, subtle color, and with some varieties, beautiful scent. They are a low maintenance plant once you understand their needs, and come in many different leaf shapes, textures and coloring. They are easy to grow in most parts of the country, you just need to know these little tricks of the trade.

Hosta Facts

Hostas need sun.

Thats right, for all of you who planted hostas under the deep shade of a huge elm, and wondered why they didnt thrive, the truth is, they are sun lovers. The problem is, they sun burn! But they are shade tolerant. The trick is to provide the hostas with a few hours of morning sun, or dappled sun throughout the day. With the proper lighting, hostas grow larger and have more vibrant coloring.

Hostas need cold.

Hostas do not do well in temperate climates, because they need a certain amount of cold during the winter to cause them to go dormant, allowing them to store up energy for the next season, much as bulbs do. Many perennials have these same requirements. They are hardy plants, and can even take Midwest winters. Make sure you choose a variety that suits your area.

Hostas are resistant to disease and pests.

Except slugs and snails that is. There is no more a gourmet treat for a slug than a juicy hosta leaf, so make sure you practice control as soon as the first leaf unfurls from the ground in the spring.

Hostas need soil!

Many people try to plant hostas beneath trees because they have trouble growing grass in that deep shade. However, when tree roots compact the soil and the roots of the hosta, it simply can’t thrive. Make sure your hostas have plenty of loose, fertile soil and you fertilize regularly.

Hostas come in hundreds of different varieties and sizes. They can have blue leaves, variegated leaves, lime and emerald green coloring. They are as small as twelve inches, to as large as five feet. Some are fragrant, most are not. In fact, some gardeners cut the flowers off in early summer, as they are pretty nominal.

Follow these easy tricks on how to grow hostas, and you may find yourself quickly addicted to one of the most popular garden plants around.