skip to main content

Giant hosta for full shade?

6 years ago

I am wanting to plant several giant or very large hostas in full shade with a very thick and sturdy leaf, preferably vase shape with a large spread. Color and variegation unimportant but attractive. Recommendations? Thanks!

Featured Answer

DelawareDonna Zone 7A

6 years ago

I am not aware of any hosta that is completely shade tolerant. I planted Ulysses S. Grant which meets most of your requirements in a shady location, but it gets dappled sun throughout the day for best growth.

Comments (10)

ConnieMay ON Z6a
6 years ago
You might try Atlantis - vigorous grower in mostly shady spot for me.
Related Discussions
A c candicans full sun vs full shade
Q
Comments (3)
This is a loosely growing cultivar from what I've read. 'Blue Cloak' grows much more dense. Thanks for sharing the pics and growing habits. Sup with the irrigation lines by the way?
...See More
Abies concolor 'Candicans' -- full sun vs full shade smackdown
Q
Comments (7)
if you want pix of cones.. find a 'birder' .. a person who has a camera made for taking pix of small birds at distance and height .. i do not have the knowledge to take said pic against a sunlight blue sky.. i bet a filter was involved.. as well as a ginormous telescopic lens ... pix from my friend carol wolf ... seriously.. i have no clue how she got such clarity.. while standing on the ground.. and snapping a shot 10 feet above her head [2 of the pix] ... lets just write it off to having a real camera.. and experience ... and of course.. talent took me 2 days to find them in the Picea folder.. whats that all about ... lol ... these are not the pix i referred to previously.. again.. those are for another day ... its too early.. and my pupils are vibrating from coffee.. to tell if they are duplicates .. or double shots.. to insure a clean pic ... ken
...See More
Hostas and full shade
Q
Comments (3)
I have hostas in a very dark inside corner, no direct light at all. I don't think light is your problem, probably too dry and too much competition from tree roots.
...See More
Hosta from full shade to full sun! Trees gone...
Q
Comments (6)
There are some hostas that like sun. If you don't get suggestions here, ask or do a search on the Hosta forum for suggestions of those that like sun, which tend to be ones with relatively thick leaves, and some of the yellow ones. Some of the denser perennial geraniums make good coverage for bulb foliage as do peonies planted just in front of them. If you like daylilies, they are one of the classics to plant with daffodils to cover the foliage. If you have room, some smaller shrubs such as one of the smaller Hydrangea paniculata like Bobo would work. H. paniculata likes sun unlike H. macrophylla like Nikko Blue. One of the short Duetzias would work such as Chardonnay Pearls, Nikko, or Yuki Cherry Blossom. (Hmm - never noticed that Nikko was used both for Hydrangeas and Deutzia - need to look that up to figure out the background . . . ) PS Nikko Deutzia was named by C.G. Hollett of Greenbank Nursery in England late 70's approximately. I haven't found a source for the Nikko blue hydrangea name.
...See More
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
6 years ago
it can take the giants 5 to 7 years.. to become giants ... and part of the equation will be.. exactly how dark your full shade is ...

hosta are ONLY shade tolerant ... and can grow like weeds in sun.. but they start looking rattier earlier near the end of the season ...

not many of the true giants.. maintain the vase shape ...

ken
Michelle D thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada
6 years ago
Could you please define what you mean by full shade? I am assuming that this area you want to plant in does not get any direct sun at all. If this is correct, is that because of a tree canopy or building structure or fence? How much light this area receives will determine how well your hostas will grow there.
Michelle D thanked newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada
jan_on zone 5b
6 years ago
I have three Sum and Substance that do well with no sun. I have heard of maintaining more of a vase shape by simply removing the leaves that tend to droop. My big guys would not miss a few leaves.

jan
Michelle D thanked jan_on zone 5b
Michelle D
Original Author
6 years ago
The area is shaded by a tree canopy and little to no sun gets through and want something that may also help deflect road noise, bigger and thicker leaves may help.
newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada
6 years ago
If you have such a large tree that no sun is getting through, then the tree roots of that tree may be a problem. What kind of tree is it? Some trees are better to work with than others.
Michelle D thanked newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada
Michelle D
Original Author
6 years ago
Flowering pear trees are growing in that space, full grown.
mikgag Z5b NS Canada
6 years ago
Go buy Blue Umbrellas,Yellow River and Garden Party, plant them side by side and thank me later
peren.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Michelle we are happy to make suggestions, we just want you to have something suitable. I don't believe Hostas will provide the noise buffer you desire.

Hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle' might suit your needs better. You can possibly put Hostas in front of them. If you tell us the closest city near you and provide a pic of the area we can be more helpful.

Sign Up to Comment

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Hosta Alternatives for the Shaded Garden

By Curtis Adams

Discover which foliage plants to use instead of or in addition to hostas in the landscape

FLOWERS AND PLANTS Shade-Loving Hostas Shine in the Garden

By Marianne Lipanovich

With thousands of hostas to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect plant for your garden

GARDENING GUIDES 15 Shade-Loving Plants With Showy Flowers or Foliage

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

These all-star perennials bring bright colors and bold textures to beds ranging from partial shade to full shade

GARDENING GUIDES 14 Beautiful Native Plants for Shade Gardens

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

These hardworking perennials thrive in areas with dappled light to full shade and create a lovely woodland garden look

FOLIAGE Easy-Care Evergreen Plants and Combos for Stunning Shade Gardens

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Here’s what to plant for year-round interest and minimal maintenance in full-shade to dappled-light garden beds

PLANTING IDEAS Colorful Plant Combos for Shade Gardens

By Lauren Dunec Hoang

Bring interest and color to beds ranging from full shade to dappled light with these stunning compositions

GARDENING GUIDES 7 Shade-Loving Rarities of the Plant World

By CYAN Horticulture

Cultivate a discriminating air in a shady garden patch with these uncommon woodland wonders

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Axminster Gold Comfrey for Sun or Shade

Plant this perennial for bold color that will light up shady spots, sparkle in the sun and add interest from spring until fall

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Set Your Shade Garden Aglow With Light

By Jay Sifford Garden Design

Invite brightness to the dark corners of your garden for a magical dance you won't want to miss

GARDENING FOR BUTTERFLIES Great Design Plant: Columbine Grows Happily in Shade and Sun

By Paintbox Garden

Its ethereal beauty comes from complex forms and wide-ranging colors, but columbine’s benefits are highly attractive too

Sponsored

More Discussions

Hosta Advice 2023 .............................

12

OY! Gonna be 28 degrees tomorrow night in Baltimore!

8

What are you doing Monday on Tuesday ...4224

37

What are you doing Monday 4824

25

What are you doing Monday 41524

19