Let’s start with this one because it’s usually the first perennial that springs to mind when considering shady gardening. It’s for a good reason: hostas adore being in the shadow. They do, after all, prefer the cool of the afternoon sun, so your shaded setting will be ideal for them.
Hostas, on the other hand, require a steady supply of moisture to flush out their large, gorgeous canopy of foliage, so planting them in hard, dry clay beneath your trees is not ideal.
When planting hostas, amend the soil to provide them with nutrient-rich, loamy soil in which to spread their vast roots. Investing the time and effort will benefit your hostas far more than planting them in poor soil and having to fertilize them every month to compensate for the poor soil.
Hostas are hardy in zones 3-9. They grow well in all but the hottest sections of the country. They are, however, a favorite diet of deer, so if you have these four-legged friends in your garden, you might want to browse lower down this list for alternative shade-tolerant perennials.
Recommended Hostas:
- The dazzling blue and radiant gold edged leaves of ‘Autumn Frost,’ one of the best hostas for spring color, will light up your landscape and containers with exuberant color.
- ‘Empress Wu’This massive green hosta might be better named “Wow You,” since it will undoubtedly impress all your friends when it reaches its mature height of 3-4ft tall by 5-6ft broad in around five years.
- ‘Wheee!’
- With a name like this, what hosta could be more entertaining?
- You’ll want to reach out and touch its very ruffled foliage, and when you do, you’ll be impressed by its thick leaf material. The slugs, on the other hand, will be less impressed and will seek out simpler prey.
Touch of Class Hosta
Adding a Touch of Class Hosta flowers have dark blue cores with yellow centers. June Hosta Touch of Class is a cultivar with more erect leaves than June Hosta. Dark blue leaves with a bright gold flame in the leaf center on a little hosta. Touch of Class blooms purple in mid-summer and is a sluggish grower. In any moist, well-drained garden space, plant in full shade. It’s possible to cultivate it in a container. Grows in zones 3 through 9, in part sun to full shade. Reaches a height of 24 inches and a width of 16 to 20 inches.
Paradigm Hosta
Paradigm Hosta’s leaf is striped with bright chartreuse and has a beautiful blue green edge. As the season continues, these hues become more brilliant and strong. The texture of the leaves is corrugated. In zones 3 to 8, it thrives in part sun to full shade. Reaches a height of 24 inches and a width of 20 to 24 inches. Garden borders, rock gardens, and woodland gardens are all good places to use it. It’s possible to utilize it as a ground cover. In mid-Summer, Paradigm blooms with pale lavender bell-shaped blossoms. Attracts butterflies to the area. An easy-to-grow hosta with a moderate rate of growth.
Stained Glass Hosta
The Guacamole Hosta is a variation of the Stained Glass Hosta. Stained Glass is distinguished by its gleaming, richly veined golden foliage that resembles stained glass. A dark green edge surrounds the leaves. Late in the summer, fragrant lavender blossoms bloom. Shady places are brightened with lavender flowers and foliage. Grows in zones 3 through 9, in part sun to full shade. It reaches a height of 14 to 16 inches and has a 20-inch spread. Plant in a well-drained, damp garden area. It can be grown in pots or in garden beds. Because sandy soil provides more root aeration than clay, it is preferred.
Brother Stefan Hosta
Stefan, my brother The chartreuse centers of the Hosta contrast with the blue margins. With a green edge, the chartreuse center matures to gold. During the summer, tall white flower spikes develop. Grow in part sun and part shade to full shade in zones 3 to 9. Reaches a height of 20 to 24 inches and a width of 24 to 30 inches. Brother Stefan is a work of art in the form of a hosta. For a bigger impression, they’re planted in a clump.
Kiwi Spearmint Hosta
The foliage of the Kiwi Spearmint hosta is dense and wavy, with white to chartreuse colors. Lime color is used for the margins. Early in the summer, lavender to light purple blooms develop. Grows in zones 3 through 9, in part sun to full shade. Reaches a height of 16 to 18 inches and a width of 18 to 23 inches. With the Kiwi Spearmint Hosta, you may immerse yourself in tropical drama. Cold hardy, low-maintenance, and eye-catching hue.
Magic Island Hosta
The Magical Island Hosta has vivid yellow cores with bluish green margins. The yellow cores turn cream with time. Lavender spikes blossom in the summer on Magic Island. In zones 3 to 8, it thrives in part sun to full shade. With a 16 to 20 inch spread, it reaches a maximum height of 10 to 14 inches. Hummingbirds are drawn to blooms. Slugs don’t like the foliage. Plant in garden beds and borders for a robust grower.
Abiqua Drinking Gourd Hosta
Drinking Abiqua Dark blue green puckered leaves form unusual cups over the plant on the gourd hosta. Early in the summer, it blooms with 22-inch white bell-shaped spikes. Grows in zones 3 through 9, in part sun to full shade. It reaches a height of 18 inches and has a spread of 42 to 48 inches. Attracts butterflies to the area. For dark borders and wooded areas, this is an excellent choice. Slug resistance is good. Tolerates a wide range of soil types.
Hudson Bay Hosta
The leaves of the Hudson Bay Hosta is white in the middle, with vivid green and blue edges. A vigorous grower with cream flowers in the summer. Grow in part sun and part shade to full shade in zones 3 to 9. With a 20 to 26 inch spread, it reaches a height of 24 to 26 inches. Plant in flower beds or garden borders.
Coast to Coast Shadowland Hosta
The foliage colors on Coast to Coast Hosta are stunning. On huge, arrowhead-shaped leaves with textured deep ridges, you’ll see chartreuse, gold, greens, and yellows. During the summer, the blooms are light lavender to light purple in hue. Grows in zones 3 through 9, in part sun to full shade. It reaches a height of 28 to 30 inches and a width of 32 to 36 inches. Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. It’s simple to grow Coast to Coast has a lot of foliage attraction. Use as a border or in a bed in the garden.
Blue Mouse Ears
Blue Mouse Ears is a delicate hosta with lovely little round leaves. The leaves have a bluish green color to them. In the summer, blooms grow on 12 inch lavender flower spikes. Grow in part sun and part shade to full shade in zones 3 to 8. Cute Blue Mouse Ears reach a height of 6 to 8 inches and a width of 6 to 8 inches. Damaged by slugs isn’t a problem. It’s a versatile plant that can be utilized in garden beds, borders, or as a groundcover.
Autumn Frost Hosta
Autumn Frost Hosta is a low-maintenance perennial that thrives in pots. ‘Autumn Frost,’ a variation of First Frost, has frosty blue leaves with exceptionally broad bright yellow edges. During the summer, the margins lighten to a creamy white. Autumn Frost grows as a 12-inch mound. From mid- to late-summer, lavender flowers bloom. Grows in zones 3 through 9, in part sun to full shade. With a 24 inch spread, it reaches a height of 6 to 12 inches. Autumn Frost has a medium growth rate and attracts hummingbirds. Morning sun is tolerated, which helps to accentuate leaf colors. The afternoon sun, on the other hand, can be harmful to most hostas. Moist, well-draining organic soils are preferred.
Fire Island Hosta
Plantain Lily, commonly known as Fire Island Hosta, has vivid yellow leaves on reddish-purple stems. As the season progresses, the leaves turn a light green color. Lavender flower spikes appear around mid-summer. Ideal for use in containers or as a border in the garden. Grows in zones 3 through 9, in part sun to full shade. With a height of 14 to 16 inches and a width of 29 to 35 inches, this plant can grow to be 14 to 16 inches tall and wide. Sandy, moist, and wet soils are preferred. Hummingbirds are drawn to it. A low-maintenance perennial that works well in groups. Because this Hosta is harmful to dogs, cats, and horses, make sure to keep them away.
Cool as a Cucumber Hosta
As refreshing as a cucumber Long, smooth leaves with a jagged green edge and a white center characterize Hosta. Cool as a Cucumber has an upright growth pattern at first, but as it matures, it begins to arch. Small pale lavender flowers bloom in the early to mid-summer. In a gloomy spot, lavender blossoms on pristine white stems stand out. Grows in zones 3 through 9, in part sun to full shade. It reaches a height of 28 inches and a width of 4 feet! Grow In a garden border, as a foundation plant, or in a forest garden, Cucumber is as cool as a cucumber. It can also be utilized as a ground cover or in a mass planting. Attracts butterflies to the area. This hosta is disease resistant and cold hardy. Heat, dryness, and humidity are not a problem for this plant.
Where should you not plant hostas?
- Hostas can be purchased as dormant bare-root divisions or potted plants and planted in the spring or fall.
- Hostas can be planted throughout the summer growth season, but they will require extra care (mainly watering) to avoid succumbing to the heat.
Choosing and Preparing a Planting Site
- Hostas thrive in partial shade or dappled shade, although they can also thrive in severe shade.
- The soil should drain effectively and have a pH that is between between slightly acidic and neutral (6.5 to 7.0).
How to Plant Hostas
- Dig a hole that is double the breadth and depth of the plant’s root ball. The roots of the hosta will benefit from loosening the soil in the planting area as they extend outward.
- Place the plants in the hole so that their crowns (bases) are level with the surrounding soil and any emerging leaf tips are visible above the soil surface.
- To settle the roots, gently dampen the soil around the plants and water until it is moist.
Where should I plant?
In the ground or in a container, all hostas thrive in moist soil in moderate shade. However, yellow-leaved varieties, as well as a few hosta cultivars that are sun-tolerant, prefer some sun.
Hostas prefer fertile soils with heavy clay, which can be improved by adding garden compost or well-rotted manure. Try hostas with thicker, waxier leaves, which are more tolerant of dry conditions. Hostas, unfortunately, are not well-suited to dry soils or exposed, windy sections of the garden.
What pairs well with hostas?
Hostas are ideal for shade gardens, adding a hint of the tropics to otherwise barren areas of the yard. When selecting companion plants, aim for those that, like your hostas, prefer bright morning sun and cool afternoon shade. Hostas go well with astilbe, ferns, geraniums, and shady-friendly bulbs. Bleeding hearts and heuchera are two of our faves.
The delicate blossoms and elegant, arching branches of bleeding heart (dicentra) plants are the perfect contrast to bold, flashy, or variegated hosta plants. They also blossom early in the spring, enabling the flowers of your hostas to take center stage later in the summer.
Heuchera, often known as coral bells, is cultivated for its leaf, which may provide a splash of crimson, purple, or silver to your shade garden. Take a colorful bunch of flowers and turn it upside down: For a garden full of rich, vibrant leaves and light-colored flowers, combine red or purple heuchera with marbled or striped hosta species.
Learn how to plant, grow, and care for hostas from our experienced gardeners.
Should hostas be cut back for winter?
Hostas are a perennial plant, which means they lose their leaves in the winter. This easy-to-care-for plant is known for its huge waxy leaves that produce long stalks with blossoms, although it will need to be pruned down in the fall. It is critical to prepare the hostas for winter in order to ensure strong blooms in the spring. Pests like slugs and bunnies can nibble the leaves and make them seem ragged as the weather becomes cooler. The leaves of the hostas also start to droop and die back. Trimming the hostas after the first hard freeze is beneficial.
Do hostas survive winter?
Hostas are a hardy perennial that thrives in zones 3 through 9. This plant can withstand cold weather, but it will require some adjustments to prepare for the change in season. During the dormant season, Hostas really benefit from the cooler temperatures. The chilly temperature is beneficial to one’s health and growth. The leaves of hostas must dry up and wilt to the ground before they may be prepared for winter. While this is going on, the plant is preparing nourishment for the following season’s development. Do not cut it back until the operation is finished. After a good hard winter, Hostas go dormant.
Do hostas need lots of water?
Small or medium plants will require a good soak once a week once they have established themselves. Hostas tolerate drought but need moist, well-drained soil. Increase the watering frequency to three times per week if the weather is warm. Large hostas should be watered twice a week in the summer and daily in the winter, especially if they get a lot of sun.
Growing Hostas in pots necessitates more frequent watering. Because pots drain faster than gardens, giving the plant the slow sip it requires can be difficult. Water the pot every three days during the summer months. If the soil still appears to be too dry, it may need to be watered on a daily basis.