How to make your hostas thrive

Hostas are a lovely plant for most gardens. They’re pretty low maintenance, and this large, full plant is a lush complement. There are more than 2,500 varieties of hosta, so gardeners have several options.

It’s hard to believe that a bare root hosta can grow to be six feet wide. Whether you are a newbie or seasonsed hosta gardener, here are 9+ pro tips for working hostas into your landscape or garden:

Hostas are notorious for being shade tolerant, but some varieties need a little more light. Try looking at the leaves. Darker leaves need moderate shade and lighter leaves fair well in brighter sun, but make sure all receive at least some shade.

When the plants die in the winter, leave the dead foliage alone. Add some leaves on top to provide a little insulation. The foliage will let you see where the plants are and prevent accidental trampling of the new growth in the spring.