skip to main content

Which ones do better with more shade?

13 years ago

We all know hostas do better when they can get some sun. I have a couple planting areas I'd consider Deep Shade...I'm talking less than 1 hour dappled sun/day.

If I'm going to do something with these areas, I'd like to hear which hostas you have that prefer the shadiest of shade. I'm open to experimenting & seeing how things go, but I'd like to get a list of true shade-lovers before I think these areas through any further.

Thanks! Gayle

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

thisismelissa
13 years ago
I have some pretty deep shade areas of my garden.
I'm not really having trouble with any withering away, but they definitely do not grow with the vigor that the ones that get more sun do.

Some of the hostas that tend to desiccate in spring will prefer deeper shade... again, they're not going grow huge very quickly, but they're certainly ones that will have better looking leaves in deep shade.
idiothe
13 years ago
I think you can plan on all the hostas growing slower in more shade. I don't think there are any that actually prefer that level of dark, other than the spring dessication problem on Frances Williams and the other variegated sieboldianas - and if I were starting out a garden now, I wouldn't bother with any of those plants anyway. There are so many good ones without the worry of that genetic defect.

I just looked at an Aurora Borealis that is is deep deep shade - after our cold snap, it is a total wreck... don't know why I don't put it out of its misery. This will be a terrible year for that whole family...

So rather than shade tolerance, I'd be looking at a list of the fastest growing hostas, figuring the faster ones will be slower in the shade, but will still be faster than the slower ones in the shade... and I'd look for older, less expensive, tried-and-true varieties in the size and colors you like.

Plants that did well in really deep shade - meaning grew faster than average - include Squash Casserole, Abba Dabba Do, Golden Tiara, Paradigm...
Related Discussions
Entry Hall Chest, (** 4 PICS **) which one do you like better?
Q
Comments (58)
parma42, thanks for the Blonde chuckle! Those furniture sites are addicting too.. I spend so much time there! I like the one you posted a link to as well, but now (I am such a nut) think I found another... and after really studying the space and playing with photoshop, I decided the bombe chest #3 is too bulky for the area, so I am ruling that out. My list is shrinking and once again think Les is correct on her thoughts. So, I found this one that is a console - but is a chest too. The size is right, color seems to compliment floors and other furniture.. not sure if the 'style' really flows with the other wood pieces (bTW - I don't like the dining room furniture. It is new - but darker and plainer then I would have picked for this home). Here is my newest find, which is similar to kmcg85 posted. I like the bottom shelf, and that it is also open, but yet has storage. It's simple, yet my dining toom furniture is very plain and simple.
...See More
Which one is better?
Q
Comments (32)
This is funny- years ago, I worked in Fl. with a guy who was constantly getting harrassed by a particular religious group. He was kind to them every time and asked them not to return as he was not interested in their religion. This would happen every weekend. Went on for months and he would continue being nice and saying he wasn't interested. One Monday he came into work and told me he'd had enough and did something "not" nice to these people. I was afraid of what it might have been but I knew he didn't have a mean bone in his body. He finally told me that he saw them drive up, approach his doorbell... so... he quickly undressed (totally naked) and answered the door! He said the ladies of the group backed up quickly and the men were upset. They just said a few words to him and left. They never returned. I couldn't believe it. If you knew this guy you'd know this is sooo not something he'd do but I guess he got tired of it esp. when they would continue to return after he'd say not to return! BUT, don't go get naked.... LOL
...See More
Which hosta do you have more than one of?
Q
Comments (30)
The only hosta I intentionally have more than one of is So Sweet. Others I have duplicates of: Irish Luck, because I thought the other one was dead Bridegroom, same reason. Dancing Queen, same reason. "Big Blue" because I divided it. Blue Mouse Ears because Cleo (my dog) mauled it and Blue Cadet and I couldn't determine which pieces where which hosta when I repotted them. All of the above will go in one pot when I repot this spring. Night before Christmas because my neighbor gave me hers when she moved to assisted living. I'll keep both. I'm thinking of splitting my oldest So Sweet and will keep all three. It's in about the biggest pot I can handle and it aesthetically looks like it's too big for the pot. It does not have that nice round shape anymore. It did well, though. I bought another Minuteman because it was so gorgeous I couldn't resist. I had a smaller one and a Patriot. Not sure whether I will keep all three or not. I'll wait and see how they do. I still have two Frances Williams I intended to re-home. I think I will try them one more season and see if an acidic fertilizer will help their looks. bk
...See More
delta vs graff which one gives a better product and better warranty
Q
Comments (23)
I love love live the way my Graff fixtures look. Sadly it has been one technical issue after another. Don’t try to blame the rusty water coming out of one of the two lavatory faucets on my pipes. Mind you I have lived here seven years and never had problems. After many many hostile correspondence from them I figured out that the setscrew that held the aerator and was not stainless and had rusted. Therefore all the water coming out of the aerator which was also rusted is Rusty. It ruined the pop-up drain my sink in the faucet spout. Then I had my gorgeous tub Phil installed they sent me a stainless handle even though it’s a polished nickel fixture. They had to send me a new nickel handle. Then after it was installed the spout would never stop dripping. Then I had to have the plumber come back and graft sent a new cartridge. The plumber came back the third time to install the brand new fixture that Graf sent. This one drips from the spout but not quite as badly however anytime you turn the Fossett on the hand held shower pours water and it gets all over the floor needless to say. So they are two for three of screwed up products.I called them on this last issue and they are claiming that this was tested before they sent it to me, however it arrived sealed in plastic in the original packaging so I’m not quite sure how they sealed it. They are now suggesting that it is clogged with debris and buildup and that that is why it is not working. I did not realize it was not working properly until the same day it was installed. Prior to that it was sealed in plastic in the original packaging. I absolutely adore my fixtures it is what they use in high-end hotels in Saint Barts. But if I had to do over I would be using Brizo all day long. I am super super bummed and I’m getting ready to pay for I can’t remember if it’s my fourth or fifth plumber visit
...See More
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
13 years ago
i would move older.. established plants.. into deep shade,.,'

rather than buying a small one.. and hoping it grows with enthusiasm....

so the real question is... what will you buy for the spot you empty .....

now.. where is that post about moving fully leafed out hosta... it was genius, if i say so myself.... lol

ken
keanaz5a
13 years ago
I have a bed in very deep shade. The only sun they ever get is at the very end of the day when the sun is setting and can get below the tree branches and then that's only part of it. There are some that never get any sun. Like said, none of them increase very fast. And Ken is right, if I had to do it over, I would plant them elsewhere for a few years and let them grow, or move some large ones into the area. Of those in that bed that did grow reasonably fast were:

Blue Angel
Gold Standard
Undulata Univitta
Blue Cadet
Camelot
Francee
Pearl Lake
Pilgrim
Twilight
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
13 years ago
Striptease does well for me in deep shade as does Twilight, Stetson, Bressingham Blue and Revolution. I get good color but slow growth with Sagae, Blue Shadow (probably slow no matter where it was) and Whirlwind.

tj
i-like-to-grow
13 years ago
This post is good for me... my new project chimney stone bed is going to be almost to this point of deep shade...like keanaz5a.. it will only get the last 1-2 hours each day.. and thats coming over the rock wall... My other beds are only on their second year(pictures coming soon), and I just worked on getting them situated so I doubt anything will get moved til next year. BUT I've been collecting past HOTY for this new bed... most are mature one eye divisions... been curious how well they will actually grow....probably should start my own thread... but I'll ask this here... what HOTY should I most definately leave out.. I don't have room for them all... I still haven't got my FF and Paradigm yet...but have acquired FB, EA, Sagae, BME, June, PG, Striptease, RS, and SG... curious if I should most definately find somewhere else for these for a season or two...
gayle0000
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for the great info folks! I think I'll try Ken's route of moving some bigger ones over. I didn't even think of that option.

Still taking notes of all the hosta names/suggestions being given.
Gayle
hostahaveum
13 years ago
I like to grow....how big is your new bed, because EA & Sagae take up a huge space . I put mine in pots & move them around till I figure out how I want them. Put BME w/ the big boys & now I want to move it . I think you should get Paradigm & maybe put the med.size in one bed & Giants off on their own or mid row w/ the meds & smalls in front. EA is a bit flatter than Sagae. I hope this helps you a bit ,I am no expert .
i-like-to-grow
13 years ago
hostahaveum.. I recently started a thread called "under construction"... shows some pics of my bed...work in progress... was thinking of putting sagae in the back left and EA somewhere up front...

Related Stories

You Said It: ‘The More Dents, the Better’ and More Houzz Quotables

By Becky Harris

Design advice, inspiration and observations that struck a chord this week

KITCHEN DESIGN 12 Great Kitchen Styles — Which One’s for You?

By Sheila Schmitz

Sometimes you can be surprised by the kitchen style that really calls to you. The proof is in the pictures

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Garden Overhaul: Which Plants Should Stay, Which Should Go?

By Falon Mihalic

Learning how to inventory your plants is the first step in dealing with an overgrown landscape

KITCHEN OF THE WEEK Kitchen of the Week: More Storage and a Better Layout

By Jeannie Matteucci

A California couple create a user-friendly and stylish kitchen that works for their always-on-the-go family

COLOR Why You Should Paint Your Walls More Than One Color

Using multiple colors can define zones, highlight features or just add that special something

LIFE You Said It: ‘Life Is Better When the House Is Clean’ and More

By Becky Harris

Highlights from the week include great advice for a clean, organized and happy 2015

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Edwardian Flat Opens Up for More Light and Better Flow

By Jennifer Quail

Removing 7 walls and adding clerestory windows brighten this 1905 San Francisco home and propel it into modern times

HOMES AROUND THE WORLD Houzz Tour: When Two Houses Are Better Than One

By Bettina Deda colour design

Subdividing a Melbourne backyard opens up space to build a second home on this family's property

COLOR Color Magic: Tap Into Psychology to Better Use Blue at Home

By Julia Pockett

OK, it's backed more by science than magic. But see how expert research can help you create powerful, even bewitching, interior effects

KITCHEN DESIGN Houzz Quiz: Which Kitchen Backsplash Material Is Right for You?

By Jennifer Ott Design

With so many options available, see if we can help you narrow down the selection

Sponsored

Whispering Pine Construction

Franklin County's Top Choice for Reliable Outdoor Construction

More Discussions

What are you doing Monday 42224

11

Does anyone one have experience with BT?

7

6

Help needed please !!

12

What are you doing Monday on Tuesday 43024

13