GARDENING WITH HOSTAS WILL GIVE YOUR GARDEN CLASS

Shady gardeners and for that matter many gardeners covet the shady plants labeled Hostas. They are desired for several reasons because of their availability,come in many many varieties and are easy to grow. There is I believe a hosta for every intended use in your garden. Hostas can be borders,ground covers or specimen plants in the garden. This p;ant prefers shade to spotty shade but can endure morning sunlight. The leaf color can change with the degree of sunlight provided as in the case of blue-greens that lighten up if more sunlight is present. In the most deep southern areas you will want to go with the fragrant hostas which can withstand more sunlight.

The hosta can be ignored except for watering. Development will proceed slowly and should reach maturity in about four years. I have never needed to fiddle with my hostas after planting but I know some people who prefer to add time release fertilizer now and again but it is certainly not necessary.They should be watered once a week if no rain develops because of their origins in a temperate climate. Just make sure the hostas have good drainage because they will develop crown rot if the area is too wet.

They are not difficult to plant just dig a hole half again as wide and deep as the root ball. I would apply to the soil well rotted compost,humus or a commercially available time release fertilizer. If your drainage of the soil is slow it would be best to dig the hole a little larger in size and mix some coarse grit with your fertilizer of choice. The hosta should be placed in the hole so the crown is ground level. This is after applying the water and the water has settled into the soil.

The popular thing about hostas,if properly taken care of,you will never have to buy another hosta. I moved to this residence thirty years ago and moved three hostas from the former home and now I have in excess of one hundred hostas. A border along a stream, flanking two sides of the house and placement among other shady garden areas. I prefer the divison of hostas in the spring just as the shoots are appearing. It is not only less difficult but also assures me that my transplanted hostas will be a truer off spring.

You will want to remove all debris in the spring. I usually leave the hostas covered with their own dead stalks in the winter for protection. It takes time for these plants to develop in the spring. Some of my gardener friends have planted bulbs in a ring around their hostas to add color to the barren garden spot surrounding the hostas. A hosta is probably your best weed killer. The large leaves encircle the soil around the weeds and prevent very little weed growth and in some cases none. A welcome respite from the rest of the garden.

The only real pest is the ugly and slimly slug. It will require some slug bait or if you have environmental concerns,you might want to provide yourself with pine needle mulch.ground-up seashells and even flour sprinkled around the base of the hosta will do the trick. If you are not the squeamish type you can also pick them off the hostas. Beer traps will also work and I have used this procedure and it will work but I concluded it was an expensive way to kill slugs even with cheap beer.There are also problems with deer,although I have never had this happen,and if you do purchase a good barking dog or deer repellent. Voles,if you have them,are another pest and its best not to keep mulch around and underneath your hostas if this is your problem. Cats and hawks are lethal weapons for this problem.

Hostas are a true staple for your garden adding both color and texture. They display well with impatiens planted here and there or fern, astibles and azaleas are a great contrast to the hostas. It is worth the initial investment and these are garden plants that keep on giving.

There is always more information about plants and their care at http://www.gardenersgardening.com.