Hostas are the most popular of all perennials, and with good reason. Growing hostas is easy, and they provide fabulous, foolproof foliage that thrives in either sun or shade.
Hostas have been grown in the US since the 1800s, but they're native to Japan, China, and Korea. Horticulturalists have developed a mind-boggling array of varieties - there are actually more than 2,000 types of hostas - so there are bound to be varieties that suit the needs of just about every gardener.
The most common hosta varieties range from 18" to 28" high, and depending on the variety they may reach widths up to two or three feet.
Though all hostas flower during the summer months, they're grown for their lush and lovely foliage. The many hosta cultivars provide an amazing selection of foliage types; hosta leaves may be broad or narrow, spade-shaped or pointed, solid coloured or variegated. The colour can range from pale ivory to gold, all shades of green, and even a distinct waxy bluish hue.
One of the reasons hostas are so popular is that they're exceptionally flexible about light and climate requirements. They're hearty in just about all zones; anywhere that isn't either absolutely frigid or downright sub-tropical will suit them just fine. Sun or shade - when it comes to growing hostas, either will do!
Almost all hostas thrive in partial sun, but many varieties do equally well in shady locations.
Generally speaking, the lighter and brighter the leaves, the more the hosta will appreciate sun. Yellow or gold-leaved varieties need at least a few hours of sun a day. In deep shade they won't develop their brightest colouring.
Hostas with green or blue-green leaves are a better choice for deep shade, and variegated varieties that combine green with yellow or white appreciate both partial sun and light shade.
The amount of sun hostas get also determines how profusely they flower. The more sun the plant gets, the more flowers it produces.
A great feature of growing hostas is that just about the only light condition that's a problem is direct sunlight - and even that's fine in limited amounts. But too much direct sun will literally scorch the leaves.
