Hostas are fabulous foliage perennials that only get better with age. The exotic, tropical looking, large, luscious leaves emerge in mid spring and even after just a year or two they will have formed handsome clumps.
In summer these clumps are topped off with stems of bell shaped flowers that are either white or various shades of mauve. The flowers are often perfumed - in fact we try and grow mostly those that smell good!
Whilst the flowers are beautiful it is the foliage which is the star attraction. The leaves can be puckered or smooth, long and narrow, or curvaceous and round, large or small. The foliage colour ranges from grey/blue through to green, yellow, lime or variegated.
The strongest statement will be made when one or two complementary varieties are planted en masse.
Hostas are shade lovers and are ideal for naturalizing under deciduous trees or in woodland gardens. Where at all possible they should be protected from afternoon sun, unless you are in a cool climate and have very wet soil.
