Things You'll Need:
- Water
- Mulch
-
Step 1
~~Select the Hosta Plants~~
Since there are a variety of colors, you will want to pick the one you feel will compliment the area it is going into. Depending on the type of Hosta you pick, the more their colors will vary. They can easily be transplanted from another spot by carefully digging up a section of them making sure the whole ball of roots in intact with them and wrap the roots in wet paper towels with a bag over them while you transport them home. Use of some type of shredded mulch placed no more than 2 or 3 inched thick works well to prevent slug problems. Spring is preferable while the leaves are tightly closed, but late summer or fall will work also but they should be planted right away into the ground with plenty of water. -
Step 2
~~Choose a Location~~
Landscaping with Hostas is very easy as they make wonderful background plants, borders around trees, along side of houses or driveways and the thicker they are the more weeds in that area will be controlled. Be sure to give them space for their roots so don't plant them in real surface rooted tree or shrub areas and if you decide to, then put the Hostas in pots that drain well. They also like an area that does not get the afternoon sun and tolerate shady areas well. -
Step 3
~~Take Care of the Hosta~~
This plant is fairly easy to care for if given plenty of water and that is about all they need but you can give them some slow release organic fertilizer such as soybean meal, to make them even happier. If the plants are in more direct sunlight then more water is necessary to help them keep their leaves from fading too much. One exception is the Hosta Plantaginea which actually likes more sun and will bloom with fragrant white flowers if it gets enough sunlight. -
Step 4
~~Know the Pests~~
They don't have a high pest rate but staying on top of the ones that do affect them can help to minimize damage to them. Avoid putting too much mulch around them as this could draw voles which are little mice like moles that like to tunnel and eat the Hosta roots. Try to avoid crown rot by avoiding over watering but this is more of a problem in the South where high temperatures and humidity damage plants.
The other one you want to avoid is slugs which are like snails but can do a lot of damage by eating the leaves, stems and roots. They can be prevented or controlled by avoiding too much mulch and removing dead leaves and debris around the plants that encourage a breeding ground for slugs.
Other preventions and remedies for slugs are an organic solution called, Slug-Out, crushed egg shells, lint from the dryer, cedar chips, mint leaves, Epsom salts spread around the plant or even beer put into little greased bowls into the ground around the Hostas will take care of slugs, they drink it and literally get wasted by not being able to get back out!
Follow these simple steps and enjoy these hardy little perennial plants in landscaping your yard.
Comments
40skydiver said
on 8/11/2009 I love Hostas, good article on these attractive plants.
slphilbrick said
on 6/8/2009 It took me a long time to plant Hosta. Everyone said they were hard to grow. I have many of them now, and I've never had any problem with them ! These are good tips on growing them !
joanhaines said
on 6/5/2009 I've been eying some of my neighbor's beautiful, large leaf hostas, and now I have more confidence to choose and grow some of my own. Thanks.
chevee said
on 6/5/2009 Very good article caring for and using Hosta plants for landscaping.
rickmac said
on 6/4/2009 I love my hostas. They are great plants. Good article.