Planting & Maintaining Hostas For Shade Gardens | Royal City Nursery

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The hosta, or plantain lily, is a highly regarded go-to when it comes to shade gardens. There’s just so much to love about this low-maintenance perennial! Its compact form makes it perfect for borders and mass planting or filling out gaps in the garden. While it does produce some pretty flowers in summer, the hosta is known for its distinctive, broad, ultra-vibrant leaves, available in an endless assortment of vibrant greens, blues, and golds. Solid colours, stripes, spots, and splatters—there are so many extraordinary hostas to choose from!

 

Where Do Hostas Grow Best?

Generally speaking, most hostas prefer to grow in the shade; however, they can do just fine in partial or dappled shade. A few select varieties enjoy full sun exposure, so be sure to check the planting guidelines for whichever type of hosta you select. 

The root system of hostas is a bit more shallow than your typical perennial, but width-wise the roots can spread out as wide as the leaf-spread. You’ll want to dig a hole that’s roughly as wide as your plant and deep enough that the roots won’t get folded, so make sure you choose a spot with adequate space. When you dig your hole, be sure to amend your soil with compost to give the hosta its best chance at success. 

If you decide to use mulch, be sure not to pile it up around the base of the plant. Spread the mulch evenly and avoid layering it around your hosta’s stem; this can encourage fungi growth and cause rot.

What Time of Year Do You Plant Hostas?

Truthfully, planting this perennial isn’t a time-sensitive thing—you can do it as long as the soil is soft and workable. Summer can be a bit trickier, as the soil tends to be quite warm and may shock your plants, but since hostas typically go in fully shaded spots, the sun isn’t heating the ground quite as much. If you plant your hostas in spring or fall, you aren’t likely to encounter any issues—make sure you water generously after planting!

 

How Far Apart Should You Plant Hostas?

The space you provide your hostas is relative to the variety. Follow this planting guide to see how much room you should leave:

• Large hostas: 30–36 inches apart
• Medium hostas: 18–24 inches
• Small hostas: 12–18 inches
• Dwarf varieties: 8–12 inches

Remember, your plants will spread as they mature, so if they start to get a bit crowded, you may need to thin them out. If they’ve become quite large, you can gently dig them up in late fall or early spring; divide the rootball, and then replant the pieces as two different plants. 

Watering, Fertilizing, and General Maintenance for Hostas

Watering your hostas on a regular schedule is vital to keep their leaves looking healthy. However, these plants are quite sensitive to root rot, so plant them in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. When temperatures aren’t as hot in spring and fall, you should water your hostas generously about once per week, early in the morning. In summer, when things heat up, you may need to increase watering to a couple of times per week. If your hostas are in containers, the soil will dry out much faster, so you might need to water them as often as every 1–2 days during the hottest months. 

A plant starter fertilizer with bone meal will do wonders for your hostas. Don’t choose anything high in nitrogen—it can cause the leaves to turn brown and crinkled. A slow-release granular fertilizer will steadily provide nutrients for several weeks if applied in early spring. Later in the summer, you can switch to a water-soluble fertilizer during the peak gardening season and apply it every 3–4 weeks.  

Keep an eye out for pests and other critters that might wreak havoc on your plants. If you notice any holes in the leaves or sticky droplets, it could signal pest problems. Apply a safe, natural pesticide, such as insecticidal soap spray or neem oil. If you’re having trouble identifying the type of pest damage you’ve encountered, feel free to call us at Royal City Nursery and speak with one of our experts! We’ll be happy to help you troubleshoot.

Do you have a shady yard or garden you’d like to fill with beautiful, leafy hostas? Now is an excellent time to get planting, so visit Royal City Nursery to see all our incredible new hostas for sale. And remember, if you decide to step out from under the cool shade this summer, don’t forget that SPF!

• dappled shade, fertilizer, fertilizing, Garden, gardening, hosta, mulch, partial shade, perennial, plant, planting, royal city nursery, shade, water, watering

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