Among the best of all foliage plants (summer flowers are a bonus), hostas vary from large plants to more diminutive types that are suitable for rock gardens. For fall mulching, begin by putting a light covering (1 inch) of compost over the crown of each plant. Hostas look great in containers paired with other foliage plants or annuals. In principle, you can split the hosta at any time, but at different times of the year will be different percentages of success. Their once leafy, overflowing foliage begins to fade to fallish shades of brown and yellow. So my mother  and I are on a mission to help you do just that by sharing the DIY outdoor projects, plant suggestions and gardening tips we’ve learned through our combined 75+ years of experience. The thing to know about sun tolerant hostas is that while they withstand more sun than traditional shade-loving hostas, they do need protection from sun during the hottest part of the day. They will even hold their own against potentially-invasive perennials like Lamium and Periwinkle. Dig your planting hole or holes as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. You can also grow Hostas in pots Companion Plants for Hostas. Hostas are tough, ornamental plants that thrive in the shade. According to Tony Avent, the foliage color of a hosta from seed reflects the center of the parent's leaves. Their luscious foliage is unparalleled for accent and groundcover effect. Hostas are hardy perennials that are very easy to grow. As autumn progresses and the temperatures continue to chill, the plant quickly deteriorates. Why the compost? The best time to share hostas is the second half of spring when the earth warms up, and the plants begin to grow. Hostas thrive in loamy, slightly acidic, well-draining soil. So it doesn’t come as much of a surprise that Hostas and ferns make a pretty good plant combination. SERIES 27 Episode 08. Because of their sweet smell, these plants will attract hummingbirds to your garden. Their delightful colors and foliage textures add variety to your landscape. Snail warning You can do this by putting them in the ground between your perennials like the Coleus in the picture above. Both plants like rich and loamy soil with a 6.5 pH level, but hostas … Green hostas produce green seedlings. Though Hosta plantaginea originates in China, most of the species that provide the modern plants were introduced from Japan to Europe by Philipp Franz von Sieboldin the mid-19th century originating from shady locations with more moisture than they are gener… The optimal pH level for hostas is 6.5 to 7.5. Small types of hostas work well as edging plants in a shade bed. Plant hostas … When hosta plants grow too large, their roots become compacted, and the plant suffers. The fall mulching of plants is one of the most underrated chores of all. How To Plant Fall Bulbs Now For Incredible Spring Color – And 5 Great Bulbs To Plant! Pots can help where deer are an issue, as you can simply move the containers closer to the house. A hosta plant, also called a plantain lily, is the perfect plant for providing color and texture to your yard. Another one of the plants that often makes its way into shade gardens is ferns. Amend the soil with organic matter that will loosen the soil, discourage rodents, and acidify the soil slightly. As for the foliage remains, as long as it does not show obvious signs of disease or pest infestation, it’s a great addition to the compost pile. Hostas are beautiful, shade-tolerant plants with green, waxy leaves and a wide variety of foliage colors. I have used this method many times and have a high percentage of success, but many subtleties are worth talking about. The two most favor… The slightly curled, heart-shaped leaves are topped by lavender flowers in summer. Sometimes, planting a few annuals in with the Hostas is the best way to add some color. In addition, mulching also helps keep competing weeds and weed seeds from blowing in and taking over. Plant hostas in the same way as you would any other herbaceous perennial. A hard frost or freeze will eventually kill back the new growth, and the plant will head into dormancy for the winter months. Hostas are drought-tolerant, robust, and shade-loving plants.