Need all of your collective wisdom :-)

16 years ago

Hello! I'm sure everyone hates reading posts from people who start out by saying "I know virtually nothing about hostas..." but, I'll have to say it anyway. I know virtually nothing about hostas. But I need to learn! I moved into a new house at the end of last summer, and there were hostas lining the yard. I have no idea what kind they were. *ducks* I don't think whoever planted them knew much about hostas either, because they were in full sun (am pretty confident that most hostas are shade plants?)and seemed to be smallish and sunburned (brown edges on the leaves). Some had flower spikes, but not all. Eventually they all died back, and in the fall we covered the beds with shredded leaves (was this a good idea/bad idea?). Now spring is peeking out it's head (which is actually quite fun, because I've got mystery bulbs sprouting everywhere--the suspense is killing me!), and I've got several questions.

--When should I be looking for new sprouts?

--When is the best time to transplant, and do hostas need special requirements other than partial shade?

--What type of soil do they prefer?

--Any other special care tips I should be aware of?

Thank you all for your indulgence, and maybe since it's still winterish, this will give you some fun things to do--educate the newbie and all that. :-)

Cheers!

Susan

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Comments (13)

sugarman
16 years ago
Some answers.

The noses will start apppear soon now. It depends a bit on your climate, over here I have some plants allready leafed out
You can transplant virtually all year long. The best time is june-july
Hostas don't need deep shade. Some hostas need (some) sun, several can withstand a lot of sun, but it depends on your region/climate/zone. The best location for moste hosta is a situation with sun during the morning hours
Soil? Hostas aren't that picky, they will grow everywhere, even on the driveway accroding to some people around here ;). The best soil retains water very well, without water logging (a lot of organic material)
Yes, there are three things you need to do to get the best hosta Water , Water and last but not least Water. Given enough water, a hosta can take quite some sun
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
HI

WELCOME ...

everyone has to start somewhere..

in order of presentation ...

hosta are shade tolerant [vs shade requiring].. many if not all do just fine in full sun ... up here in z5 for sure.. the further south you go .. the harder it is on them ... the key is to try to drown them .. the more sun they get ...

all hosta ... no mater where you are.. look tattered by late fall ... they are done tired by then .. and just seem to go downhill ... often depending on how well watered they were during the year ...

lack of flowers is a sign of immaturity or recent division .. or lack of water ...

shredded leaves are superb ... better than sending them to a landfill.. you will be greatly rewarded if you do this forever ...

you should look for sprouts.. when the hosta are ready to send up sprouts... should be within a few weeks for you ...JUST STAY OUT OF THE BED .... the mulch you laid down is retarding them coming up.. which is a good thing.. because frosts are worse than waiting ... nothing like enjoying them for a few weeks only to have ma nature.. with her wicked sense of humor... frost them back to the ground ... for the same reason.. let them come up when they want to come up.. do NOT go removing the mulch ..

you can move them in the spring ... or in the fall to avoid them looking ratty all summer ... if you dont care how they look all summer.. move them whenever the whim strikes ... somebody had a great pictorial on that.. i cant recall who it was ... lol ... try searching MOVING FULLY LEAFED OUT HOSTA.. or some nonsense like that ....

check the FAQ's for a lot of basic great info ...

they prefer soil that holds water .. but will take any soil they are provided.. as long as you provide all water necessary ....

special care ... dont buy anymore.. or you will become addicted like the rest of us.. lol

if you have digital pix available.. we will be able to name many of them.. or argue about all the look a likes ....

my best advice... take all summer to look at them.. make plans about your garden design .... and plan out a big weekend dig in fall .... just water the heck out of them this year ...

good luck

ken
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esther_opal
16 years ago
As easy and simple as they've made it sound you now have about the advice you need!

Ken and others are wrong about them living in or on the driveway, you have to pitch them out there first.
hosta_freak
16 years ago
Welcome KC girl! I am in zone6 NC,and I already have hostas sprouting above ground,but then,some of them always come up early. Listen to Ken,he's the resident guru around here,and he's right,they will be up above those leaves soon,especially in zone 7. You probably have Undulatas,which are very common among people who don't know much about hostas. Good luck! Phil
mjjones453
16 years ago
Welcome! I am jealous that you will be seeing the hosta leaf out well before me! Gardening is fun! at least to me! Don't forget to check out the hosta Library, So sorry that this board could create an addition for you!

Here is a link that might be useful: hosta library
hostahaveum
16 years ago
Welcome to the forum, Kc girl ! Boy were you lucky to get a ready made hosta garden! When your plants come up this spring post pictures & maybe folks here can identify what you have. I joined last spring & have learned so much . Hope you enjoy looking through the photos on the Hosta library & starting a list of must have additions ,that happens fast when you hang out here !~ Dot
susan_kc
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you everyone for all the comments and pointers! I looked strenuously yesterday for little noses poking up through the leaves--none to be seen yet. But I have daffodils and irises with buds, so I imagine the hostas will soon follow. I'll definitely try to post pictures once they are up and going.

I've always admired hostas, so I was very excited that we had some in our new yard. It'll be fun to see what comes up.

Thank you, MJ, for the link to the hosta library. Looks like a lot of good information and searching opportunities. :-) I look forward to spending a little more time there.

I am already addicted to plants...hostas will just be a new venue. Sigh...I will have to start beefing up my plant fund. Maybe hubby and I should have a budget committee meeting. lol
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
you might be better not actually talking to him about it..

so when $1000 goes missing for 250 new hosta.. he wont have a clue.. lol

ken
mary52zn8tx
16 years ago
Welcome, My hostas in the ground are just now starting to wake up. The ones in containers are ahead of them in growth. Ken isn't kidding about planning on a big budget for these plants!! It is so easy to just add one, no make that five or even more. Hope you see yours when all danger of frost is over.
Happy growing,
Mary
hostarox
16 years ago
Do you have any shade? If not, plant some this year if you have the room. :-))
Rox
hostared
16 years ago
Welcome Susan,
There is much knowledge to be found on this forum.
No question is unimportant and will be answered by this friendly group of people.

Just fair warning on your new hobby.
We are passionate about hostas and their wonderful, useful additions to all landscapes. This group loves to give helpful advise so please ask.

When you experience the beauty of their leaves you will be sucked in like a vacuum there is no going back....you will be a hostaholic.....start saving up your pennies.
It's addicting!

Check the photo gallery on this forum you will see lovely pics of hostas you'll just have to own.

Welcome again and keep us informed on your progress!
susan_kc
Original Author
16 years ago
Hooray! I saw hosta eyes this weekend! (Is that the correct terminology? lol) When they are leafed out I will take pictures and post them for help with identification. I am so excited! I saw at least three plants, but last year there were 10 or more, so we'll see how long it takes for all of them to appear. All the same variety, I think.

I already know the next one I want is plantiginea. Ya'll are a bad influence...lol.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
16 years ago
eyes or pips ....

ken

Need all of your collective wisdom :-)

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