Hostas, or plantain lilies, are a group of shade-tolerant perennials valued for their ornamental foliage. Originally from Northeast Asia, these plants have found a niche for themselves in gardens across the globe. Hostas are known for their large and wide green foliage, which comes in many shapes, sizes, and colors and are well suited for shaded or partially shaded gardens. Here, within the sketched article, the reader will be introduced to hostas and, particularly, the types of hostas, their characteristics, and the conditions necessary for their growth.
1. Types of Hostas Based on Size
Hostas are classified according to the size of the plant, from miniature to giant hostas. Said knowledge can assist the gardeners in choosing the appropriate hosta for their garden size.
a. Miniature Hostas
This makes miniature hostas ideal for use in small gardens, rockeries, or along borders of even large gardens. Most of these varieties do not exceed a height of six inches and are cherished mainly for their small and delicately designed foliage.
‘Blue Mouse Ears’:
A small hosta with blue-green, round leaves and a shape that may be reminiscent of a mouse’s ears. This cultivar is good for growing in containers or in small gardens where the space is limited.
‘Pandora’s Box’:
Has small leaves that are heart-shaped with white edges and are circumferenced by green borders. This makes it suitable to be added to shaded rock gardens as it complements their appearance adequately.
b. Small Hostas
There are two types of hostas namely small hostas, which are low-growing plants standing between 6 to 12 inches tall and are used in different ways. It is ideal to grow them in pots or borders or incorporate them with other everlasting garden flowers. Examples include:
‘Golden Tiara’:
This variety has green foliage margins with a vivid golden center making it stand out from other varieties. It is a faster grower and therefore makes the perfect ground cover.
‘Rainforest Sunrise’:
A small hosta comes with a golden yellow-green color with blackish-green borders. The foliage of this plant is sturdy or thick thus it is not easily affected by slug attacks.
c. Medium Hostas
The mid-sized ones are more familiar perhaps due to their height which ranges from 12 to 18 inches. They are of moderate sizes hence easy to manage and are applicable for most gardens and landscaping. Noteworthy medium hostas include:
‘June’:
Avery’s popular medium hosta, ‘June’, has blue-green foliage with a bright yellow middle part of the leaves. The intensity of a color may differ depending upon this exposure to the sun.
‘Halcyon’:
The cultivar ‘Halcyon’ has a blue-grey leaf color which remains constant during the entire growing period. I find it to be a worthwhile and credible plant for growing in locations that are partially shaded.
d. Large Hostas
Extra large hostas are those that can grow up to 18 to 28 inches tall which makes it ideal when used to give a garden a full look. It is also important to note that they can be used as central or space-defined plants. Some popular large hostas are: Some popular large hostas are:
‘Patriot’:
This hosta has boldly textured green leaves with wide creamy-white margins hence having a clean look about it. It is even more useful for lighting up some dark zones or areas.
‘Guacamole’:
The feature of ‘Guacamole’ is the foliage coloring of apple-green leaves with dark green borders and a mere tinge of gold as well as the spicy fragrance of its flowers and its vigorous growth.
e. Giant Hostas
Sometimes referred to as the ‘Big H’s’, giant hostas can grow to over 28 inches in height and are ideal for creating a statement in the garden. These hostas have large, broad leaves that give a tropical shade feel to the place where it is planted. Examples include:
‘Empress Wu’:
‘Empress Wu’ is recognized as one of the biggest hostas that can reach a height of 120 cm and spread up to 180 cm. Curly small dark green leaves are huge and a great touch on the texture.
‘Sum and Substance’:
This is the largest of the hostas and has chartreuse-colored leaves, that can reach up to 2 feet in length. It is flashy and perfect for that area where you want to be colored with a contrasting color when you are under the shade.
2. Variegation and Color Varieties
Hostas are reported to have numerous varieties as to the color and shape of the leaves. With all its shades ranging from bluff green through shades of green and blue to greyish blue, there is a hosta for every taste.
a. Solid Color Hostas
There are also hostas of solid colors and they are perceived to be very simple and classy. They are available in different colors including green, blue, and gold.
‘Royal Standard’:
A standard green hosta, but has a shiny leaf surface and bears white flowers. It can be described as a strong performer in many different types of gardens.
‘Elegans’:
This is one of the blue hostas that bear thick corrugated leaf mass and more slug resistant. This is especially the case where the blue becomes more pronounced during the cold months of the year.
b. Variegated Hostas
Variegated hostas are the ones that you see to have different colors of green on the same leaf. One’s edge might be the other’s center or the other way around making it an interesting viewing for a gardener.
‘Frances Williams’:
It has evergreen blue-green foliage which is large and has a golden edge. It is an ideal color for those areas that require some shade, rendering a dramatic impression.
‘Fire and Ice’:
Their leave is pure white with a border of dark green color which is a contrast electrifying.
3. Hosta Flowers: An Underrated Feature
Nevertheless, it should be mentioned that hostas are primarily used for their leaves, but the flowers of this plant can also become an attractive decoration of the garden. Lilies are tall and contain nodes of elongated green leaves, while lancets have erect, strap-like leaves of varying shades of green; flowers of hostas are from white to lavender, resembling lily-like flowers.
‘Honeybells’:
These are plants that boast beautiful, lavender-type flowers, that appear in late summer. The smell draws hummingbirds and bees, which is a plus to the ecological effect of the flower on the environment.
‘Royal Standard’:
Another scented variety is ‘Royal Standard’ which has white flowers that complement the green foliage very well.
4. Growing and Caring for Hostas
Hostas are relatively easy to grow, but they do have specific care requirements to thrive:
a. Light Requirements
In most cases, hostas can be regarded as shade plants, although some can be grown under full shade, partial shade, or full sun. Blue varieties of hostas are usually more suitable for rather shady locations while gold and variegated types can be grown in rather sunny areas.
b. Soil and Watering
A hosta grows best in soils that are well-draining and have a lot of nutrients. They are also plants that grow in moisture and need to be watered frequently particularly when there are droughts. RH: Some of the often followed techniques include: Irrigation should be done around the base and this is useful in preventing weed growth and conserving moisture.
c. Pest Control
These include slugs and snails, more likely to attack hostas with thin leaves than thick-leaved ones. There are other methods of controlling these pests, which include; The use of slug pellets, diatomaceous earth, or natural predators such as frogs.
d. Dividing and Propagation
They may be very easily propagated in the early spring or in the fall, through division if new plants are desired or to reduce the size of the plants. It can be propagated by digging up the clump and dividing the root ball with a sharp spade as well as prying the divisions apart.
Conclusion
Hostas are among the most easy to grow, beautiful plants, perfect for giving any shaded area texture, color, and excitement. Luckily, hostas come in vast numbers and so, there is a plant that will suit nearly every garden type and taste. It does not matter whether you’re new to gardening right now or have been gardening for many years, you may always benefit from the great variety of hostas available today and can create a beautiful, green, and inviting outdoor space for you and your family to enjoy.
