Heavenly hostas
For great ground cover, fresh foliage and shade survival, these plants are unbeatable
The great thing about these hardy perennials is that they provide colourful interest for a good six months each year – and are very easy to care for. Hostas are superb subjects for ground cover and make good companions for other plants.
Foliage faves
Hostas are long-lived herbaceous perennials that die back for winter and grow again in spring, bringing fresh furls of new spring leaves, a fullness of summer foliage, stems of flower and finally, a burst of yellow as leaves fade.
Some say the funnel-shaped and often-scented white or mauve flowers play second fiddle to the foliage, but, in some varieties, such as the fragrant white-flowered H. plantaginea and petite cream-edged ‘So Sweet’, they definitely add value.
Secure in shade
Hostas are at home in woodland plantings under trees, between rhododendrons, alongside ferns and in containers. Larger cultivars make magnificent additions to exotic borders, while smaller cultivars suit rock gardens or windowboxes.
Vigilance is needed to guard against the night-time predations of slugs and snails, attracted to thin leaves in damp, shady environments. Fortunately, hosta cultivars with thicker leaves (often those with blue colouring) or an upright habit are less vulnerable; notable for being off the menu are ‘Sum and Substance’ and ‘Praying Hands’.