Introduction to the Hosta
The Hosta or the Plantain Lily is a genus from the family Agavaceae and is a woodland plant that prefers shade. The plants are mainly grown for their beautiful foliage though the flowers of some are an added attraction.

The Hosta is named after Nicholas T Host (1761-1834). They are sometimes called Funkia after Heinrick Funck, a German botanist.
The natural habitat of the Hosta is North East Asia, viz. Japan, China and Korea. Hostas were part of European gardens in the 17th century and American gardeners started cultivating it by the 18th century. Most of the varieties Hostas were brought to Europe by Philipp Franz Von Siebold in the 19th century.

Description of the Hosta
Hostas vary in size from 2 inches to 36 inches height and a few inches to over 5 feet in spread. Generally their foliage spreads to twice their height. They are favored over potted plants as herbaceous perennial borders and ground covers. Their popularity is explained by their minimal maintenance requirements and adaptability to shady areas. They have beautiful decorative foliage of varying colors such as blue, green, and yellow, or variegated with different shapes and textures. Some have foliage that changes colors seasonally. Many hostas produce flowers on a central spike, others blossom just above the spreading leaves. The flowers are generally bell-shaped and come in a vide variety of colors such as white, lilac, mauve and purple. Some are fragrant.

Popular Types of Hostas
Fragrant hostas are generally hybrids of Hosta plantaginea or the August Lily. This cultivar is the most adjustable to heat. Their flowers bloom around evening as compared to the other hostas which bloom in the morning. Hosta "Honey Bells', Hosta "Summer Fragrance", Hosta "Iron Gate Supreme" etc. are some fragrant cultivars. Some hybrids blend the advantages of fragrance with the beauty of foliage. There are more than 50 fragrant hosta cultivars and a variety to suit almost every zone.

Other Popular cultivars of Hostas are:
Hosta Sieboldiana or the Siebold Plantain Lily: Purple flowers against bluish-grey leaves.
Hosta tokudama f. aureonebulosa: Best suited for containers. Pale blue flowers and bluish-green leaves. Hosta Fortunei or the Fortune Plantain Lily: Pale lavender blooms in summer.
Hosta Undulata or the Wavy Leaved Plantain Lily: Wavy green leaves variegated in white.
Hosta Sagae: A large and striking hosta. Violet flowers and thick blue green leaves bordered in gold.

Growing Tips for Hostas
Hosta cultivars suited for each of the zones from 3 to 9 are available. Hostas require full or partial shade and moist organic soil. They grow best in zones 3 to 8 and in the South they can be grown in containers.

Planting Hostas
The planting hole must be a minimum of 12 inches deep and one and half times as wide as the expected spread of the full grown plant, to accommodate the spread of its roots as the plant grows. The hole should be lined with organic spread. If replanted from a container, the roots must be loosened and the old soil shaken off before planting. If a bare root plant is being planted it is best to soak the roots in tepid water for half an hour prior to planting. The junction of the roots and leaves must be at ground level and the roots evenly spread around while planting.

Fertilizing Hostas
A garden rich in organic nutrients seldom need additional fertilizing. If required, fertilizers with NPK 10-10-10 or 5-10-5 can be applied in spring, and repeated in mid May and mid July.

Watering Hostas
Hostas require moisture, and watering depends on soil drainage. A soil rich in organic matter will hold moisture, and watering once a day will be sufficient. Inadequate moisture will cause leaf tips to wither or droop.

Propagating your Hostas
The easiest method of propagation is division of existing plants. Only Hosta Ventricosa comes true from seeds. Spring is the best time for dividing fast growing Hostas. The others, such as Sieboldianas or Tokudamas should be divided in summer. Newly divided plants need to be well-watered and some leaves removed to check for water loss.

Containers for Growing Hostas
Hostas can grow in containers of adequate size. Younger hostas can be transplanted to larger pots as they grow. Lining the containers with Styrofoam packing peanuts at the bottom will reduce their weight and increase drainage. The potted hostas can be grouped for effect or to suit temperature conditions. As hostas need a dormant period in winter, container plants should be left in an unheated area and watered sparingly to prevent the root from drying out.

Pests that are attracted to Hostas
Slugs, snails, and insects like the black vine weevil, and worms such as foliar nematodes etc. feed on the leaves of the hosta. Some viruses are also known to cause mottling of the leaves. Suitable measures for their control must be adopted to prevent damage.

If you like Hostas.....These pages might also interest you:

Allium Directory, Amaryllis Directory, Begonia Directory, Crocus Directory, Daffodils Directory, Dahlia Directory, Hyacinth Directory, Iris Directory, Lily Directory, Tulip Directory