Hostas are herbaceous perennial plants that range in size from miniature varieties to more than 30 cm across. With their wide leaves in various shades of green, they make great focal points in shady areas of the garden. They are also grown for their flowers, which are often fragrant. Here is a short guide on how to grow them and some of my favorite varieties.

Hostas are hardy and will grow in any soil that retains moisture. Adding lots of organic matter before planting will also help conserve moisture. They require very little in terms of maintenance. The leaves die in winter and can be composted. The plant will produce new shoots in the spring. The main problem with growing hostas is that they are the favorite food of slugs and snails. To help prevent leaves from being uprooted by these pests, use a slug-resistant mat such as sharp sand, gravel, or even eggshells. Do this when the new leaves start to emerge. Hostas are easily propagated by division in the fall or spring. Simply pick up the clump with a garden fork, then split it in half with a sharp shovel or kitchen knife. Put one half back in the ground and place the other in another part of the garden.

Hosta ‘Big Daddy’ is a large hosta with crinkled sea-green leaves and bright white flowers in summer. Hosta ‘Patriot’ has medium green variegated leaves with hints of creamy white. ‘Halcyon’ is a popular variety with bluish-tinted leaves and large flowers on upright stems. Hosta ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ is a small hosta with small round thick blue leaves that form a clump. ‘Dancing in the Rain’ is another variegated variety with large leaves that have white centers and bluish-green stripes and edges. For more unusual varieties, try ‘White Feather’ hosta. This hosta has large leaves that emerge creamy white in the spring which then develop green streaks that spread to gradually turn the entire leaf a bright shade of green. Hosta ‘Praying Hands’ has upright, narrow, tightly folded leaves that resemble hands folded in prayer. ‘High Society’ hosta leaves emerge with egg-yolk yellow centers in spring that pale to white in mid-summer.

Hostas can be grown in garden containers using any good general-purpose potting compost. Container grown hostas should be watered regularly to make sure they don’t dry out. Also feed once a month with a liquid fertilizer. Once the plants get too big for the pot, they can be lifted and divided as described above.