Give Hosta Its Own Niche

Hosta is said to be a shade loving plant. However, it will grow in full sun, sometimes producing large plants. I've seen long rows of huge plants placed where they get full sun all day.

There is an advantage though, of planting Hosta where it receives little full sun and mostly indirect or dappled sunlight. Strong sunlight has a bleaching effect on hosta leaves, causing them to look pale and less healthy.

Hostas planted in shadier locations tend to have more lush foliage with more intense colors. And planting them in shade means their root systems can be kept at a more moist level, something they benefit from having.

Young, tender hosta leaves are prized by slugs. Action should be taken to prevent their damage as soon as the leaves begin to emerge from the soil. I have tried many methods. Beer in a lid was totally ineffective.

To prevent my hosta from looking like Swiss cheese, I apply Bug Getta around the plants as soon as I see leaves. It's sort of expensive, but a little does go a long way. And of course it should be re-applied after a hard rain.

I have several hostas, both plain and variegated. I'm still looking for a pure blue. I saw a box of blue plants at Lowe's, but I would not buy them. The blue appeared intense on the package picture, but there were no variety names. I like to know what I'm growing and as a rule don't buy unnamed varieties of anything.