The National Garden Bureau, of which I am a member, loves celebrating plants. Me too. Every year they create a list of their choice for Perennial of the Year. For 2024 it’s HOSTA!
At first, I thought “oh, well, okay”. (dripping with enthusiasm) But cruising through Gertens and other nurseries you find a multitude of color, texture & size.
Delving into the history of Hosta, they are named after Dr. Nicholaus Host, an Austrian physician and botanist. NGB noted that Hostas, “can be dug up, divided, and replanted at almost any time during the year. A term for this type of plant is a “friendship plant” – perennials that are easy to divide and give a piece to your friend or neighbor.” Today there are “tens of thousands of registered Hosta varieties”. Gertens grows over 60 varieties. From…
‘Dancing Queen’ – a very popular choice
to
Plain green, variegated green, gold, blue, some fragrant, from ‘Miniature Blue Mouse Ears’ to ‘Empress Wu’!
It’s a whole new world for shade gardens. One of the best reasons we Northern Gardeners love Hosta is that they are hardy to zone 3. Hello Hibbing! Hostas range from 8 inches to 8 feet, their flowers are attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies and bees. Hosta flowers are also edible, and the leaves are popular in Japanese cuisine. Speaking of eating the leaves, check out this recipe for Hosta Rolls from Edible Wild Food along with this one, because who doesn’t love bacon! Bacon Hosta leaf Wrap.
Bacon Hosta leaf wrap
We also know who else likes to eat Hosta leaves – Deer and Slugs. Repels All, Plantskydd and Deer Scram are all organic options for deer repellents. As for slugs, the old “beer in a tuna can” works well! Bury the tuna can so it sits at ground level, add a little beer and the slugs will slime on in.
While Hosta will grow in nearly any soil, they really do prefer well-draining soil. If you have clay add compost, coco coir or peat moss and be sure to mulch after planting to keep moisture in but don’t leave them in a flood plain! Most Hosta also do okay in full shade but they really prefer dappled shade and/or morning sun. The hot afternoon sun will scorch leaves and then no one is happy.
I have an area on the east side of my back porch that I am currently working on expanding. I’ll be planting Diervilla ‘Kodiak Orange’ and ‘Yellow Quill’ Mammoth mums but will be adding another clematis. After looking at all the Hosta options there are, I’ll look further into a few those along with some ground cover.
Digging sod is not my favorite thing but there is something therapeutic about it. At least that’s what I tell myself! I’m not quite sure what I’ll do with the durandii clematis (a non-twining vine) growing over the sphere on the right side…
Clematis durandii flowers are gorgeous
The hosta in front is called ‘Silly String’
Bottom line: There’s a hosta waiting for your garden,
