TUESDAY JUNE 10, 2008


Hosta

Hosta, the plant guaranteed to grow even by those with the brownest of thumbs. Shade loving, hardy, fool-proof, and shall I say it, the problem solver! No matter how many exotic finicky plants a gardener has growing in his yard, one of the things he is sure to find is a spot for hosta. Why, you may ask? Because not all spots in your garden are suitable for the plants you so desire to baby all day and night. There may be an offputting spot in your yard where for some reason you just aren't able to grow what you desire. Someplace you want to look pretty but easy to care for. The solution to your problem is possibly hosta.

My yard's challenging spot is the terraced rock garden just beyond our deck. Graced by a black walnut tree, this spot has been wild for many years. Each year I have to weed out the wild rasberry and vines that come in from the woods. Two years ago, I began to try to tame the land.
I started by installing some impatiens and some shade loving perennials - bleeding hearts, and forget-me-nots as well as a few ferns. I finished off the summer with impatiens. An annual to be sure but it ended up being a flash of color. The next year, I turned more exotic, but with mixed results. The perennials I left the same, but this time I tried to plant the beds with tuberous begonias. Such gorgeous plants, I had high hopes. The season was not kind to them and it turned out being a mud filled disappointment.

This year, as is the case many years, the hosta needed to be divided up, and my goal for this wooded spot is to return it to nature. The bleeding hearts, ferns and forget-me-nots are still growing and thriving under the black walnut. But this year, I'm adding some hosta. They should adore the shade, the water and should not mind my 1 1/2 year old blue heeler tromping through them as he so often loves to do in that garden. No, Hosta can stand abuse and by abuse, I mean forget to transplant your hosta and throw it behind the woodpile. Don't be suprised when you see the hosta sprouting from the ruins. Hosta can be mowed down accidentally and will come back prettier than ever. No, brown thumb or green thumb, Hosta have a place in the garden and I'm hoping they will turn my walnut garden into a woodland wonderland in no time.

Hosta Plant Care

General Hosta Plant Care
Perennial
Light - Hosta do best in shade to partial shade. Some varieties will survive in sun if given enough water.
Every few years, hosta can be propagated by division.

Hosta Plant Care - Dividing Hosta

hosta root ball hosta clump
Start by digging up a clump of Hosta and then take a look from the side and determine your new plants
dividing hosta hosta division
With a sharp knife simply slice down all the way through the root ball (dirt and all!) Make sure a big section of root is in each new plant Wala, three new starters to plant and enjoy!