Tackling pests

The most significant hosta pests are slugs and snails – and they can be troublesome.

There are two approaches: grow slug-resistant varieties or use an organic slug killer.

Research has shown that barrier methods simply do not work.

You may just want to put up barriers for slugs such as plastic collars to make it harder for them to reach your plants.

Biological controls work well for slugs (not snails), but can be expensive, so it’s best to start with resistant varieties.

Look for hostas with thick, heavily textured leaves.

Those with AGMS include: ‘Abiqua Drinking Gourd’ (corrugated and cupped blue-green), ‘Blue Angel’ (deeply lobed blue-green), ‘Hadspen Blue’ (one of the bluest), ‘Sagae’ (gold-edged green) and ‘Spilt Milk’ (green and white centre with a blue edge).