Among Paul James's favorites plants are the shade-loving hostas. They range in size from tiny gems to giants, with leaf spans of six inches to nearly four feet. Colors include practically all shades of green as well as blue and gold, and many are available with variegated foliage.
Hostas are not only beautiful but also easy to grow. Paul James answers some commonly asked questions about caring for hostas:
Q: What kind of growing conditions do hostas need?
A: Hostas require shade, although a little morning sun will not hurt them. They also prefer a rich soil that drains well and a neutral to slightly acidic soil pH. If you can't provide these conditions, it's best not to grow hostas--or grow them in large pots where you can provide the conditions they require.
Q: When should I plant hostas?
A: Hostas do best if planted in early spring, which is also the best time to dig and divide them. Plant them in the summer months only if you can provide plenty of water. Fall planting is risky, especially if you live north of the Mason-Dixon Line.
Q: How do I plant them?
A: To plant hostas, gently remove the plant from its pot, loosen the root ball if necessary, and place the hosta in a hole with a handful or two of compost. Cover the roots with soil, water well and mulch. You can plant hostas individually as specimen plants, in groups as a mass planting or mixed with all sorts of other shade-loving plants, including ferns and columbines. Spacing requirements differ by variety, but as a rule larger varieties should be spaced 12 to 18 inches apart, and smaller varieties as few as six inches apart.
Q: What kind of pest problems can I expect?
A: Slugs and snails love hostas, and getting rid of them isn't easy, even if you resort to chemicals, beer traps, diatomaceous earth or copper strips. Mulch presents a catch-22 situation: it's good for the plants, but it tends to attract slugs and snails. Do what you can to keep slugs and snails at bay, but don't let them keep you from enjoying hostas.
Q: What are some good hosta varieties to start with?
A: Here's a short list:
- Hosta 'Crispula'
- H. 'Francee'
- H. 'Gold Standard'
- H. 'Halcyon'
- H. 'Krossa Regal'
- H. sieboldiana 'Big Mama'
- H. sieboldiana 'Elegans'
- H. 'Frances Williams'
- H. 'Snow Cap'
- H. 'Silver Lance'
- H. 'Sugar and Cream'
- H. 'Undulata'
