You might be able to grow in pots. I'm in Dallas and grow in pots. You may not have enough winter to give them the requisite amount of dormancy. You'll just have to try and see. The ones most likely to do well for you are the fragrant ones.

No, they can't take much sun. You'll probably have to put them in shade after about 10:00 AM.

We have someone who is growing hosta in Mobile, which is also 9a. She hasn't been growing very long, so we don't know how well they will do for her. We also have someone in 9a in California who does very well. She's in the silicon valley, so she doesn't get our heat.

All I can suggest is to try and see.

bkay

bk2000, thanks. I'm going to try some in pots. A nursery has some that are blooming now, so I may be able to find some fragrant ones. California doesn't count, their zones aren't at all like ours, even though they may have the same numbers.

The winter dormancy is the trick, sometimes we don't have more than a few scattered days below freezing here all winter.

I'll have to ask about them at the nursery. Maybe people are growing them in beds as annuals here, like we do tulips and a lot of daffodils and some other things.

What kind of soil do you recommend? I use a good azalea mix for a lot of stuff, would that be okay?

Welcome to the forum. They will need full shade. There is always a debate about whether or not they get enough dormancy time in the south. I am in zone 8 south of Dallas/Fort Worth. I grow mine in containers, and I believe that water is the key to success growing hosta in our hot, humid climate. You can control the amount of water a plant gets in a container. Just remember to keep the crown dry. A good place to start would be with one or two early hosta. See the list of early risers in the link below. Squash Casserole, and Alligator Shoes grow well for me. I use mail order to get my plants. I have added them throughout the summer, but cooler weather is best. Hope you have success.
Here is Squash Casserole.

Here is a link that might be useful: Hosta lists

You want something that drains real well. Stay away from moisture control potting soil. I would suggest just plain old Miracle Grow. I make my own, but you don't need to. Just make sure it's coarse and drains well.

bkay

The winter dormancy is the trick, sometimes we don't have more than a few scattered days below freezing here all winter.

==>> i am not sure that FREEZE IS NECESSARY ... one of you peeps let me know on that ...

but you do need something like 45 to 60 days of dormancy .... so the question is.. at what temp does dormancy begin ...

ken

Ken, you may be right. Like peaches, apples, etc., they may need a certain number of chill hours every winter. Anyone know how many? With fruits, it's chill hours below 40�, not below freezing, and they don't have to be consecutive.

I grow in the sun full sun and I am in Florida. I have plants that are 3 years old alto the most are 2 years old. I use a mix comparable to Al's Gritty Mix as I need fast drain to combat possible rain showers. Feed often if you are in pots and I do recommend pots in your area. My winter here was 30 minutes last year. It was a very mild winter and I worried allot about them coming back. Damn if they all didn't survive, Bless them. They are going gang busters out there right now into some second or third flush of growth. I have had to move a few for sunburn but just the yellow ones. Just enjoy what you do. Have a great grow day, Paula

Thanks, Paula. You're the perfect person to tell her about hosta. We have to get some more hosta nuts in Texas.

bkay

Paula, you're just the person I wanted to talk to! I have a version of Al's Gritty Mix that I use, too. You're encouraging me to try a couple, if I can find some that will do well here. Yes, I'm looking for a couple to put in pots and keep on my porch, full shade, though they will get some sun in winter. Our summer was about 30 minutes this year, too. There are some things that we're finding will grow here that no one ever tried before, I guess.

Mary, I couldn't find any on your early list, only one nursery that I went to had any. I did find some in about 3 gallon pots but didn't get one. I may go back tomorrow and get one. Another nursery didn't have any because they don't like to carry plants that don't do well here. I found one nursery that had hellebores last winter, ha, fat chance any of them are still alive. But that place may have some hostas, I'll check them tomorrow.

"We have to get some more hosta nuts in Texas.
bkay"

You have your work cut out for you. There are 3 AHS members listed in the directory in TX, We have 6 here. Whoooooooooohoooooooooooo.

-Babka

I'll bet those 3 AHS members in Texas are north of Dallas somewhere.

Surprise! Two of the three members are in Dallas. The last Journal had two articles specifically about growing hostas in TX with photos. Join the AHS and you get a directory each year with members listed by state as well as alphabetically, along with phone numbers and e-mails too. That plus 3 amazing photo filled Journals (one online)with the latest info on hostas. Especially helpful to us folks who live outside the hosta belt and have no local Hosta societies and few nurseries to see the plants in person. Just $30.

-Babka

Here is a link that might be useful: The American Hosta Society

eahamel do try your local hostas and see what they will do before investing big bucks (it will happen). Chances are they have been grown closer to your area. If you are using a gritty mix then you understand drainage. The other thing is a commitment to water. Got to do it. Sun in the winter is OK but they will be sleeping and the best thing is put them out of the way and replace until they come back, and that is the best part, in the spring. Off to work, ugh! Paula

I went to the nursery that sells some plants that don't usually do well here. They had a good selection of hostas, and they were all very nice looking, in 2 gallon pots and on sale. I got a Golden Tiara. They also had Tiara, and I liked them quite a lot and may get another one while they're on sale. I liked the white leaf margins.

I have a shady bed on the north side of my house, and I'm going to clean it out (lots of weeds in it) and plant a lot of ferns there, and the hosta will be repotted into a clay pot, and can go in that bed. I'll have to keep an eye out for snails, there are a lot of them in my yard.

So, babka, how do you know how many members are where? I went to the site and didn't find a list.

bkay

Bkay-

With your AHS subscription you get all sorts of goodies and that is one of them. It comes in the mail with one of the Journals every year.

-Babka

I was mistaken. Sorry. The Directory only comes every 2 years. I should have checked the website first. I only save the current one.

-Babka