Most likely.

In the shadow of the MAPLE TREE? There are a number of hosta posters that are having apoplectic fits right now. MAPLE TREE? Try inserting those words in the search box at the top of the page and see how many posts you get declaring MAPLE TREES as the death of hostas! No way you can grow hostas under those thirsty MAPLE TREES which will suck up all the moisture before the poor hosta even gets a sip--unless you plant the hostas in "spin-out bags" (type that into the search box also to find out what they are and how they work).

How do I know? My hostas grew smaller and smaller each year I tried to grow them under my Maple tree. Last summer I re-planted them all in the spin-out bags, and this year, for the first time in several years, my hostas are actually growing LARGER! So exciting!

You are for-warned!

Kate

watch the fern, it will become weedlike and spread. yes, hosta should like that spot if you have proper soil.

Ostrich ferns are a weed and invasive plant in my hosta gardens, but no maple trees around.

Seriously, they are great companion plants but once in place and happy spread quickly - I give them away a lot as gift plants to get rid of them.

I would stick to the hardier, thicker leaved Hostas that can stand deep shade.

I too grow fern and hosta both under one maple tree and so far in 4 yrs they get bigger and bigger. The only thing I curse are the darn helicopter seeds that make we have to weed them out each spring. I know I was warned about the maple but so far it has not killed a one hosta or fern I planted. I have more trouble with a silver popular that wants to start new trees from the root system and if not for the great shade would chop it off in a minute . Hard to replace one that has been around for over 30 and as big

When I say in the shadow of the maple tree, I don't actually say directly underneath the maple tree, but an area that's covered by the maple's enormous shadow. There are no tree roots where the plant is located. The issue is mostly with dim light and crappy soil, not tree roots.

I'll give a cheap variety a try.

Paul

Hostas need a lot more attention to soil and moisture than a barely growing ostrich fern, so improve the soil a lot, and water a lot, then just as long as the maple roots don't find that spot you could get a hosta to grow. If you don't improve the soil then I say no, you won't be successful.

After thinking about it, i was going to try a solomon seal at that spot because it's a relative of Lily of the Valley, plants so tough that it's covered the entire area under a maple tree. However, no one seems to sell one, so I got a gold standard and see if it will work.

The ground is too wet to plant anything, I'll report back with the results.

Paul

Another one here that agrees, it's pretty much a waste of time. Been there done that, cried Uncle. And the ferns as Bruce says are extremely invasive. I planted them in my beds along with other ferns. About every 18 inches a new one pops up. I pull them up and use them in my big pots of flowers on the deck for a different texture

Sally,

I had the opposite experience. Most of the ferns I planted, even the ostrich fern died. 100% of the hosta I planted lived, even the one I whacked because I mistook it for a weed. Even the ostrich fern lived in the same spot for 3 years before spreading.

There may be some factors in my area that favors the hosta. May be hosta do better than fern in alkaline soil. May be hosta have lower water requirements than ferns. I notice the death usually come when there is high heat and little water. Both the fern and hosta take it in the chin, but the hosta seems to take it better.

Paul

Are you kidding? Under an existing maple tree? I say anything will grow there for about 3 years, then dwindle and die, because the maple tree wins, every time. It is those shallow maple roots...they seek and destroy.

-Babka

Babka,

Again, it's under the shadow of the maple tree, not under the maple tree. There are no tree roots there.

Lily of the Valley have been living underneath the Maple for over 8 years. This is because lily of the valley are essentially undead plants that will grow anywhere that doesn't have strong sunlight.

I recently planted some Daffodils to see if the bulbs can survive by growing before the tree leaves out.

Paul

From what I was told the root system of a Maple ( and silver Popular ) are three times the length of the canopy. Also if it is going to be watered the tree roots will search out the water source . I planted under the maple anyway but down the road may be sorry. So far so good but I do water lots

A tough shade tolerant hosta is absolutely necessary. 'You can't grow hostas under a maple is simply not true, you just have to pick the right one(s).

The only amendment the Elegans sees is mulch, never any fertilizer of any kind.

Jon

AH, The roots of this maple extend at least three times the diameter of the canopy. The roots extend into beds where 7 other hosta are planted. I think logically the further away from the trunk one gets the easier it is for hosta to compete especially when you factor in the amount of sun that is available outside of the canopy.

Jon

I have 2 beds with Japanese Maples and the hostas under them are doing beautifully, for over 5 years now. Maybe it is specific types of maples...

OK,

I planted the hosta. I dig out the area which didn't have tree roots but tons of clay and what appears to be landscape fabric. There was a few earthworms so at least the soil is at least alive. I mixed in a cotton burr compost. Sorry if the area looks messy, it really needs to have weeding and mulch.

Now that I planted the hosta, I have second thoughts. One of the reason is that I may have gotten the wrong kind. Gold standard may get big, though in that area, maybe it won't.

Paul

My main bed is under the shade of a maple. How much compost did you add? I added 10 bags this year, 10 the year before, and probably less than that each year since I made the bed in 2009. Maybe 4-6 bags each year. It is about 10 x 12 feet. The hostas are very very happy. And the soil is very soft and moisture retentive.

I put in a bag of 2 cubic ft. You say that you put 10 bags of compost in an area that's 10 x 12? How many inches do you end up with in thickness?

Paul