Hostas are popular shade perennials because of their lovely form, foliage and colors. See how to care for hostas, use them in the garden and select popular choices.
Botanical and Common Name: Hosta plants are usually called by their Latin name, Hosta, but are also called plantain lilies.
Plant Category: Hostas are herbaceous perennials.
Bloom Time and Color: Plantain lilies have summer flowers on tall flower stalks that are lifted above the foliage.
Foliage: Hosta foliage is highly attractive and is the main reason gardeners use them. Hostas are generally green, blue or yellow leaved with variegated forms available with white, cream or gold foliage accents and edges.
Growth Habit: Each spring the new hosta foliage emerges and soon forms rounded clumps of broad foliage that is highly attractive for a shade garden spot.
Dimensions: Most hosta plants grow 1-3' tall and wide.
Preferred Conditions: Hostas prefer moist, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. They grow well in full to part shade which is why hostas are such a popular choice for shady garden spots. Hostas are widely grown as they can tolerate humid summers through zone 9 and also survive winters in northern, zone 3 gardens.
Maintenance: Hostas require very little maintenance beyond dividing the perennial clumps every three or four years as needed.
Pests or Diseases: Slugs are the greatest nemesis for hostas so be sure to check the leaves periodically for signs of slug damage. Slugs can be trapped and removed by hand since hostas are healthier if chemical sprays can be avoided.
Propagation Methods: Hostas are difficult to grow by seed and so are usually purchased as started plants or acquired through division. If you buy hostas from a garden center be sure to select healthy plants because they can dry out very quickly in the small containers.
Companion Plants: Hostas do well with other shade plants and be part of a dramatic shade garden along with astilbe, ferns, heuchera and other plants that tolerate part shade easily.
Seasons of Interest: Hosta foliage is attractive spring through fall and the flower stalks are showy in the summer. Hosta foliage can emerge later in the spring than some perennials and are good choices for layering bulbs between. Plant bulbs between hostas under a deciduous tree and enjoy the spring burst of color. The hosta foliage will cover the fading foliage of the daffodils and other bulbs and the deciduous tree will provide shade when the hosta needs it.
Uses in the Garden: Hostas are welcome additions to shady corners, shade foundation borders, foliage gardens or perennial beds.
Varieties and Cultivars: Most Hostas are categorized by their base foliage color; green, blue or gold (yellow). Variegated forms exist in all these hosta groups, and hostas can be found with textured, ruffled or lance shaped leaves as well.
Hostas with Green Foliage:
- Aureo-marginata (Hosta fortunei 'Aureomarginata') – A beautiful hosta with deep green and olive green tones to the leaves which are then edged in gold making it a popular choice of hosta with many gardeners. Sometimes seen listed as 'Gold Crown' or 'Obscura'.
- 'Ginko Craig' – Unusually thin, lance-shaped leaves that are medium green with bold white edges on them make this new hosta a show-stopper in the garden.
Hostas with Blue Foliage:
- Elegans Hosta (Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegans') – A very large hosta plant, the 'Elegans' grows to be 2-3' tall and 3-4' wide. This hosta has large, blue colored leaves and is sometimes called 'Blue Giant' Hosta.
- Halcyon (Hosta tardiana 'Halcyon') – A smaller blue host with deep colored leaves, the Halcyon Hosta has been an award winner for decades because of the steady, if somewhat slow, growth. A dependable hosta for years of shady garden color.
Hostas with Gold or Yellow Foliage:
- 'Birchwood Parky's Gold' – A popular hosta choice that is also fast growing and brightly colored. This hosta plant has golden chartreuse leaves to brighten up any shady corner.
- 'Sum and Substance' – A large, yellow-leaved Hosta that needs more sun than some of the other hosta plants in order for the foliage to turn a bright golden color. Winner of several awards through the American Hosta Society because of the large, sturdy growth.
