
University of California
UC Master Gardener Program of Sonoma County
Hostas
Supreme Foliage - Hostas that Sing
by SCMG Dan Milhollin

This blue-hued perennial sprouts summer lavender blossoms that emerge on alternate sides of long stems (five or six per plant) arising atop the foliage. The blossoms remain fresh for a month to six weeks. Very pleased with Diana’s showmanship on the patio, I sought a green/white-striped leaf Hosta (which I call “Mary“) whose leaf texture is softer, thinner and more fragile. Contrasting to the plain blue-leafed Diana, Mary displays two-inch long lavender flowers resembling weeping bells on multiple stems while the third plant, a solid-color lime green, ridged leaf (“Flo“ to me) has pure white flowers of the same shape

Whether planted in containers or the ground, Hostas needs consistently moist, humus-rich soil and bright shade for the best color and performance. In ground, the planting hole should be several times wider than deep as these plants spread very slowly. My trio receives very meager doses of bone meal only in early spring. Potted, these plants will, after several years, need thinning or to be moved into larger pots; thinning is simple but the plants are fragile and it is best accomplished after they reemergence from dormancy in early spring.

The Hosta habit is a rewarding one with more choices available now than ever. The fussy gardener can shop almost as if buying a car: select the leaf color: solid colors of blue, green, yellow; striped colors of green with white edges, white with green edges, yellow leaves fading to white tips … endless variations; the texture: smooth, rippled, striated; the size: a few inches tall to several feet. As specimens or as companion plants (the smaller ones), Hostas sing without much attention: simply give them consistent moisture and keep an eager eye for early spring snails.
Underplanting for Hostas might include Impatiens, Hakonechloa, Lamium or any brightly colored groundcover that enjoys light shade and rich, moist soil. Dianella tasmancia, with its long, strappy deep green leaves and elegant blue berries makes a complementary companion as do ferns, Hydrangeas, and Astilbe. Gardeners in Sonoma County have the luxury of year-round indoor fresh table arrangements; from late spring to August snipped Hosta leaves enhance most all blossoms in an indoor vase, begging closer examination to appreciate its color, texture, size and sound … Yes, “Come see about me.”
Gardens without shade can now display Hostas hybridized especially for sunny locations. Some of these also produce fragrant flowers. While all this variety is desirable it is also confusing -- and annoying if you can’t find the plant you want. Nonetheless, if you like foliage and colorful music in your Sonoma County garden, your world will be less empty with Hosta hybrids such as ‘Blueberry Muffin’, ‘Dancin’ Queen’, ‘Chartreuse Wiggles’ and others. If your shade garden is asking, ‘Where did our love go?’, Try a few Hostas. You can’t hurry love but when you hear them sing, you’ll know it’s an itchin’ in the heart and you can‘t scratch it … just buy more Hostas!