Plant of the Week: Patriot Hosta

Patriot hosta is our Plant of the Week for this week. Hostas are one of the most commonly known plants in North America, if not the world. We use them as a go to plant for shade gardens. And why not? They are tough, relatively pest free, and come in a wide assortment of sizes and colors.

Hostas are native to Asia, and were brought to the Americas in the late 1700’s. They grow well in part shade to nearly full shade, although some varieties are said to grow in full sun. While they prefer well-drained soils, they are adaptable to almost any soil type. I have even left them on top of the ground and seen them not only stay alive but grow!

Hosta leaf unfurling

While it is true that deer love to eat hostas, they have few other problems. In my own gardens, I have trouble with snails and blister beetles eating my hostas. Grasshopper will also eat hostas. Because the blister beetle larvae eat grasshopper larvae, bad grasshopper years are a lose-lose for me.

Hostas mix well with other shade garden plants like coral bells, ferns, and epimediums. They also grow underneath walnut trees, which can be a problem for other plants. https://extension.psu.edu/landscaping-and-gardening-around-walnuts-and-other-juglone-producing-plants

I love the simpleness of white and green striping in the Patriot hosta. While other hostas have come and gone, Patriot will continue to be an American classic – Andrew Mitchell, Landscape Maintenance Supervisor at Grimm’s Gardens

Patriot hosta grows 16 inches tall and wide. The flower scapes start up in July and the flowers are attractive to bees and hummingbirds. It has green and white variegated foliage which adds depth to the garden.

You can find Patriot and other hostas at our garden centers in Nebraska City or outside Hiawatha, KS. Or check us out online at http://www.grimmsgardens.com/shop/

Happy Planting!

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