General information about Hostas:
The goddess of all that is lush and green, Hosta plants are indisputably one of the absolute best and most popular options for
shaded
garden spots.
Of course with over 5000 cultivars, how in the world does one narrow down the choices?
We feature hostas most prized for their hardiness, foliage and flower colors, and overall performance.
Essentially, we’ve done the sorting for you and offer you the best of the best at prices that are incredibly affordable.
First, a little technical information.
Hostas are
herbaceous
perennial plants that grow from
corms
or
rhizomes.
Their broad
lanceolate
or
ovate
leaves vary widely in size, by species, from 1 - 15 inches long and 3/4 - 12 inches broad.
Variation among the numerous cultivars is even greater, with
clumps
ranging from as little as 4 inches across to an astounding 6 1/2 feet across.
The leaf shades of wild Hosta species is typically a vibrant green, although some (e.g. H. sieboldiana) are known for their
glaucous
coating, lending leaves a hazy blue appearance that tends to be an incredibly soothing effect in a garden.
There are natural
sports
(mutations) of native species that have yellow-green (almost gold) colored leaves or differing leaf variegation (the centers/edges are either white/cream or yellowish).
The (3/4 to 2 inch long) flowers are produced on (up to 31 inch tall) erect
panicles.
They are usually pendulous,
appearing similar to a central beam with loads of miniature lavender loud-speakers growing out of it.
The trumpet-like blossoms boast six petals, are generally not
fragrant,
and typically white,
lavender,
or
violet
in color.
Hostas are widely cultivated groundcovers, and they are a particularly perfect plant for
shaded
locales.
Gardeners love getting their hands on those with golden or white
variegated
leaves.
Other traits that make the Hosta such a prized perennial are the facts that they require very little care other than watering and perhaps some
fertilizing,
and they are a terrific option for
erosion control
on
slopes.
A bank of hostas with thousands of
blooms
dangling like jewels from their suspended flower stalks is truly a sight to behold.
A long-living, relatively disease-free plant that keeps multiplying, is easy to divide in spring or late fall,
and promises years of lush, lovely leaves of color, hostas often become addictive to perennial collectors.
How they come: When you buy a Hosta, you will usually receive 1 or 2
eye
plants.
What are Hosta eyes, you ask?
In the spring, you can gently uncover your hosta beds to reveal the green nubs poking through the soil.
Each nub is called an eye, and it is the beginning of a complete set of hosta leaves.
Eyes can be divided, but it is not necessary.
When you move or divide hostas, it can take a year or so for them to be completely reestablished.
Things to Note
Starting in May we cut much of the top foliage off our Hostas before shipping.
We feel that the tops are too big to be supported by the roots after transplanting, they tend to lay over on the ground and not recuperate.
When the plants are smaller we leave the tops on.
If you want us to ship your Hostas without trimming, indicate your desire in the Comments box near the shipping address when checking out.
Be aware that you will likely experience the outcome we indicated above, and if this happens to you, simply trim them yourself. It will not harm the plant.
Interesting Facts
Hosta (originally named Funkia) is a genus of 23-40 species of lily-like plants native to northeast Asia.
It was once classified in the family Liliaceae but is now (due to the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group) included in the family Agavaceae.
The genus name Hosta is after the Austrian physician & botanist Nicholas Host (1761-1834).
Gardener Tips
Hostas reward their gardener with prolific
spreading
and willingness to divide and relocate with ease.
As such, they are wonderfully economic if you have large shaded areas you wish to fill.
Plan to purchase enough to fill one area, and within 2 seasons, you’ll have at least double what you started with, providing ample plants for dividing and relocating to another area.
See all Hostas.
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