Hostas are one of the most favorite of all garden plants in the United States. This group of non-native plants can be found in nearly all shade gardens across the country. The only place they do not work is in the dry, desert southwest, and the extreme north. Hostas come in a wide range of sizes, leaf shapes, flowering times, leaf patterns, and leaf colors. There is a hosta for nearly every location in the shade garden. Some are quite large-up to 6 feet across at maturity and others can be miniature at only 6 inches across. There are spreading types that cover ground quickly and grow fast and others that make great single plant focal points. Some hostas even have red stems!

Hostas grow well in part to full shade, in well-drained to slightly moist soil. They can be quite drought tolerant, but can burn if exposed to bright sun in the summer. Hostas may have damage from slugs, snails, deer, and may sometimes get crown rot. Hosta virus X is also disease that can affect hostas.

Many gardeners have collection gardens of hostas. There are many hundreds of varieties and new ones come out every year. Some like the large, broad green leaves of ‘Princess Wu’ or the cupped leaves of ‘Albiqua Drinking Gourd’ or the heart-shaped, green and white striped leaves of ‘Patriot’.

Hosta foliage should be removed after a hard freeze in late autumn. Flower stalks can be deadheaded from the plant after flowers are spent.