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