Best tall or full hostas under sub-optimal conditions

7 years ago

…Those sub-optimal conditions being under spruce trees, and next to the neighbor’s tall fence, where it tends to be dry. Based on my experience with the adjacent garden (under ash trees), I think this will eventually work. Eventually with the latter garden, enough humus built up, and maybe the other plants helped trap moisture, that the hostas there look pretty good, though they grow slower than ones that don’t compete with roots, and don’t get enough light to color up really well. It’s a slight slope. It will get watered, plus has the benefit of the neighbors' runoff.

A local overpriced nursery is having its 70% off sale starting Thursday. I will have to see what is left when I get back there on the first morning of the sale. They had so many of some that I can’t see them all being sold out.

Ideally I’d like a couple of tall ones for the back right next to the fence. A couple of shorter ones for the middle ground. I’m not into what might be plain green under those light conditions, unless it has something else to recommend it, like nice form, corrugation, etc. I moved an Elegans in there a couple of months ago, and it is looking pretty nice, though it may be coasting on its prior stored energy from a sunnier spot.

Here are the candidates as I wrote them down last Friday: in alphabetical order

Big Daddy
Blueberry Muffin
Blue Hawaii
Brim Cup
Earth Angel
Elegans
Empress Wu
Francee
Frances Williams (have one from last year’s sale in there. I know people don't like this one, but I have little problem with the brown spots on the 3 I have. However, the new one has made only 3 leaves)
Krossa Regal
Liberty (have one from last year’s sale in there: coloring is not near as impressive as the 8 yr+ one I have in a sunny garden. But I don’t recall if it’s maturity or light that makes a difference with the one. Growing very well, though)
Seducer
Victory (I THINK have one from last year’s sale in there, but the tag got lost. Looks nice and full)
Sagae
Striptease

So…maybe first tell me which are fussy, and I’ll cross them right off.
Then whatever might tolerate these conditions.
Then any other way to prioritize.

My commenting function is not working on Houzz, so I can originate a post, but not reply to one, not even my own. But I do appreciate your answers, even though I will not be able to reply to any.

Thanks also to those who responded to my prior post with suggestions about how to restore the ability to comment. I have indeed tried all of those, and been in contact with Houzz since the problem first showed up a few weeks ago. I have tried all their suggestions as well, to no avail. With no other ideas, I believe it might be a browser incompatibility problem. Internet Explorer and Houzz probably just don’t get along. Next time I go to the library, I mean to try their computers, which use Firefox. My computer is old, and the memory almost full, so I hesitate to try downloading a new browser, for fear of a crash. I am due to buy a new computer soon.

Thanks!

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Comments (6)

popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
7 years ago
I have several hostas on the North side of my house that get no irrigation water. There are no sprinklers there. I have what I believe is Elegans and it does well. As does Frances Williams. I have two others that are NOID and they seem to do fine as well. I'm generally surprised that they do that well considering the lack of water.
garyz6ohio
7 years ago
I don't think that you will like Brim Cup. Once it matures, the edges tear and it looks ratty. Does best in a container. Tall ones for the back - Empress Wu, Blue Hawaii and/or Victory. Just be sure you water, water, water the entire area until they are well established - possibly a couple of years depending on the root competition.
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ConnieMay ON Z6a
7 years ago
I have a Regal Splendor in low light next to a fence with root competition & would recommend it. I don't have Krossa Regal but I would expect similar performance.

i love everything about Sagae but it has optimal conditions in my garden.

Empress Wu looks blue for me in dry shade with root competition. I specifically chose Wu for the spot and have not been disappointed. My thought was that the giant might be a bit smaller in poor conditions.

Earth Angel is another beauty in good conditions. I had Blue Angel in dry shade and it didn't perform very well...

Have fun shopping!
Karin Black Cat
7 years ago
I have 60% of your list, they are all doing well. I love Krossa Regal in the background, meanwhile I have three in different states of growth. I would also recommend Regal Splendor. Striptease did well for me, but got HVX this year. I kept it in a pot, so no harm done. Elegans was always eaten by slugs in the bed, this year I put it in a big pot and it grew as never before. Bought Empress Wu new, it is doing well, but will take time to get as big as it should be. Sagae and Liberty are favourites and a flowering Francee is most beautiful.

And I would go crazy if someone would offer 70% sale, have fun shopping!
zkathy z7a NC
7 years ago
Blueberry Muffin is a lovely wrinkly blue in fairly deep shade. It does get some irrigation.

Seducer is not doing well for me. I'm not sure why.
gardenweed_z6a
7 years ago
I have Independence, Liberty, Minuteman, Revolution, Patriot and likely others in the series. Liberty is by far the largest. It's been in my garden bed 6 or 7 years at this point and I'm guessing it's reached its mature size. It's an impressive hosta and performs beautifully each season although they're all excellent varieties. I'm well pleased with all my named hostas as well as my no-name varieties.

Best tall or full hostas under sub-optimal conditions

Comments (6)

popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)

garyz6ohio

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