Hostas are lily-like herbaceous perennial plants that have a reputation for thriving in shady garden areas and being a favorite among gardeners. Hostas, with their wide flat low-growing leaves come in a variety of size and shades of green--from nearly yellow tones and deep emerald hues to variegated combinations of green.http://www.gardenguides.com/89273-hosta-flower-care.html Most healthy hostas will send up bell-shaped light pink, lavender, or white flowers in mid to late summer.
Hostas are nearly maintenance-free, and are easy to grow in most plant hardiness zones in the U.S.. The most common problem among the plants comes from slugs who munch on the foliage and can slowly eat away at an entire hosta plant.
These garden plants are prized by gardeners for help to control erosion in the landscape and the ease of caring for the plants year after year.
Hosta Planting and Care
Hosta planting is best done in the spring. Before planting hostas, pick a good planting site with well-draining soil that does not receive too much direct sun during the day (as regular hot sun can scorch the leaves). Plant them in holes that are approximately 12-18" deep, and backfill with peat moss.http://www.gardenguides.com/89273-hosta-flower-care.html
Hostas like a light well-balanced fertilizer feeding once a season, and like to be kept lightly moist, but not wet. Leaves and flowers should not be trimmed back at the end of the season before they've fully wilted after the first heavy frost.http://garden.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Fall_Care_for_Hosta_Plants
Hosta Pests and Problems
Several garden pests find hostas very appetizing and may nibble at them, including deer, rabbits, and mice. The best deterrent to stop the chewing is either using a repellent spray, or placing cages over prized hostas.
Perhaps the most notorious hosta pest of all is the slug. One of the most important steps to preventing slug damage is to remove wilted or spend hosta leaves right away, giving the slugs few places to hide out. Diatomaceous earth can be sprinkled around hosta plants to kill the slugs, or beer traps (made of shallow dishes of beer) can be set out in the hosta garden area to trap and drown the pests.http://garden.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Fall_Care_for_Hosta_Plants
Hostas that Resist Slug Damage
This video from the University of Illinois Cooperative Extension describes different types of hostas that can be somewhat slug resistant (though never slug-proof). One of the tips is to select hosta plants that have thicker, coarser leaves making them tougher to chew and slightly less desirable for pests.
References
Fast Facts
-
Common name(s)
Hosta
-
Scientific name
Hosta spp.
-
Description
Low-growing broadlead plants with wide flat leaves; May flower with bell-shaped blooms
-
Life cycle
Perennial
-
USDA zones
3-8
-
Sunlight requirements
Partial to full shade
-
Watering requirements
Keep soil moist, but not wet
