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Perennials Hostas garden

I have a question about ordering hostas

djacob Z6a SE WI

4 years ago

Well, this hosta alphabet has already given me hosta fever and I am already considering orders. My question is what size container do most of you hostaholics like me order? 3.5 plugs, 4 inch pots, quart containers, gallon size when available? The smaller plugs seem like they would get so lost in a garden. I am inclined to by quart or gallon sized plants, but they are so often not available. Any advice?

Featured Answer

nicholsworth Z6 Indianapolis

4 years ago

I love quart size..they're easier to plant lol!..for the same money I would rather have more smaller plants than fewer large ones..sometimes after they're planted the "smaller" ones look almost the same..

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Comments (11)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
4 years ago
go quart or bigger per budget ...

it will take a plug up to 3 years to fill the quart ... this is a wholesale plant that needs to be grown out for retail sale ....

ken
djacob Z6a SE WI thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
4 years ago
also .. compare vendors here .... price alone should not be definitive ....

ken
djacob Z6a SE WI thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
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beverlymnz4
4 years ago
I would avoid plugs as you will have some losses with those. What I usually get is a quart when I mail order and I'm satisfied with that. The gallon depends. If those plants are field grown then yes. If they are otherwise growing in a pot for years, when you plant them the roots will die off and the plant will grow new roots which will set them back, so no better than a smaller plant IMO. I learned about this root thing in Madison last year from LOG owner Jeff Miller. This is consistent with a larger gallon size from Plants Delight that shrank the first year and it was three years before it got back to that size again for me.
djacob Z6a SE WI thanked beverlymnz4
newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada
4 years ago
That is interesting information Beverly. That explains why, if I have a hosta in a pot for a couple of years that has been struggling----and then it is planted in the ground---it can actually get smaller before it begins to regain its strength. Makes sense!
djacob Z6a SE WI thanked newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada
lindalana 5b Chicago
4 years ago
Most of what I order on line comes bare root and fits trade gallon pot. Some have more and can be split. Unless it is new release and I gotta have it i would not go for small size.
djacob Z6a SE WI thanked lindalana 5b Chicago
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
4 years ago
the more i think about it.. i dont know why you would pay to ship a one gallon pot ... ken
djacob Z6a SE WI thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
4 years ago
it also crosses my mind.. that these arent really hosta specific rules ... all thoughts apply to perennials also
djacob Z6a SE WI thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
djacob Z6a SE WI
Original Author
4 years ago
The reason I ask, is I would like to buy quart size, but can’t always find that size offered. Now I ordered several of the mouse ears series from Land of the Giants. They were $20 each, but I have no idea what size they are. Perhaps some of you who have ordered from LOG would know. I am hoping quart size is what I would receive.
Babka NorCal 9b
4 years ago
Send an email or call LOG. They can tell you what size you will get. Ask for a photo with a ruler, and I'm sure they will oblige. LOG is a good hosta company.

Ken- Many hosta sellers don't send hostas in pots. Fer sher to CA, due to ag inspections. Just the hosta roots, which weigh very little. That darned soil is heavy.

-Babka
djacob Z6a SE WI thanked Babka NorCal 9b
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
4 years ago
Just be sure to order from a reputable vendor to avoid virus infected plants.
djacob Z6a SE WI thanked NHBabs z4b-5a NH

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