Most of us are unimpressed with the lanky scapes and violet blooms of common green hostas. But hosta flowers can range in color from
deep purple to white infused with pink
.
How do I know what kind of hosta I have?
Hostas have smooth or puckered leaves and are never haired. Their surfaces may be matt, shiny or waxy but are usually satiny. Leaf color is usually green, but some hostas may have lighter green, white or yellow stripes or rims.
Run your fingers around the edges of the leaves to check the margins
.
Which Hostas have white flowers?
- Abiqua Blue Crinkles Hosta – large. …
- Alpine Ice Hosta – large. …
- American Halo Hosta – large – REDUCED! was $12.00. …
- Ann Kulpa Hosta – medium – REDUCED! was $12.00. …
- Band of Gold Hosta – large – REDUCED! was $12.00. …
- Barbara Ann Hosta – medium. …
- Beach Party Hosta – large.
Do all hostas produce flowers?
Though hostas are usually grown for their foliage, most varieties also
produce attractive, bell-shaped flowers in midsummer
. Some hosta flowers are fragrant, and all are attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies.
What is a variegated hosta?
Variegated hostas have
white, cream, blue, gold or yellow in their leaves that may look like solid patterns, blotches or stripes
. ‘ Marginate’ variegation is when variegation occurs on the margin of the hosta’s leaves. ‘
What are the most common hostas?
- Hosta Blue Angel. …
- Hosta Hyacinthine. …
- Hosta American Halo. …
- Hosta June. …
- Hosta First Mate. …
- Hosta Royal Standard. …
- Hosta Frances Williams. This is one of the most popular Hostas, growing in the partial or full shade. …
- Hosta Geisha. This plant forms an upright mound of elongated leaves.
Do hostas spread?
Small varieties spread three times as wide as they are tall.
Medium-size varieties spread twice their height
, and the larger varieties are at least as wide as they are tall. Hostas are disease-resistant, but their succulent leaves are no match for slugs and snails.
Is it OK to cut the flowers off hostas?
The American Hosta Society recommends
cutting off each scape after three-fourths of the flower buds have opened
; this keeps the plants from diverting energy into setting seeds for the next year so instead they’ll grow more roots and leaves.
Are Hosta flowers poisonous to dogs?
Hostas: Hostas are popular for being a low-maintenance plant. They grow fast and require very little attention. …
The toxins glycoside saponins are what make Hostas poisonous for pets
.
Should I remove flowers from hostas?
The flower stalks can be left in place until plants are tidied up in late autumn when the leaves naturally die back. Alternatively, they can be
removed once the blooms fade to save plants wasting
energy on seed production.
Do hostas like coffee grounds?
Hostas will benefit from an
application of coffee grounds used as mulch
because of their relatively high nitrogen content, but you need to use the grounds judiciously. Too much coffee grounds spread around Hostas can form an impermeable layer that hinders water and air from reaching the roots.
Do hostas need a lot of water?
Hostas are drought tolerant, yet like moist well drained soil. If the weather is hotter, increase the watering to three times per week. Large hostas should be
watered two times per week
and daily during hot weather, especially if it gets more sun. Hostas growing in pots will require more frequent watering.
How long do hostas live?
Hostas require little care and will live to be
30 or more years
if properly cared for. While most known for thriving in the shade garden, the reality is more nuanced. The ideal situation is dappled shade.
How far apart should you plant hostas?
Soil Conditions: Hostas can survive in a wide range of soils but prefer a rich, moist soil, high in organic matter. Correct Spacing: Depending the variety, space plants
1 to 4 feet apart
. Planting closer with allow the plants to fill in faster creating a ground cover of hosta.
Where do hostas grow best?
Where to Plant Hostas. To plant hostas, select a spot that receives partial to full shade. Most types of hostas can withstand morning sun but prefer a shady setting. It’s important to know that these perennials grow best in
soil that’s fertile and full of organic matter
.
Do variegated hostas like sun or shade?
The thicker the leaves, the more tolerant the hosta will be of the sun. White variegated hostas with thin leaves, like ‘White Christmas’, should be situated in
partial shade
to maintain its best appearance.
