| Hostas are marvelously adaptable, undemanding | | | | breathe they stop developing and can't take in |
| perennials what will thrive in just about any | | | | water or nutrients. |
| garden. Their beautiful foliage and ability to thrive | | | | Like most plants, hostas prefer a pH level near |
| with a minimum of care make growing hostas a | | | | 6.0. |
| favorite with gardeners everywhere. | | | | For proper planting, keep size in mind |
| Hostas are very easy-going plants that don't have | | | | The most important thing to keep in mind when |
| a lot of requirements, but it is important to get | | | | planting a hosta is the size it will eventually attain - |
| them planted correctly, in soil that will meet their | | | | and most hostas can get pretty darn large. |
| needs. | | | | Crowding can stunt growth and weaken the |
| Soil Requirements: | | | | plants, so resist the temptation to put new |
| Moist, rich soil makes hostas happy. Though they | | | | hostas close together to "fill out" a planting. Give |
| will grow in sandy soil, it's not optimal and hostas | | | | them plenty of room to expand - one to three |
| planted in it will require more attention to feeding | | | | feet between plants, depending on the variety - |
| and watering. If you plant a hosta in soil that | | | | and they almost certainly will. |
| drains very rapidly be prepared to water regularly, | | | | Spring is the ideal planting season, but they can be |
| and if the soil is nutrient-poor, you'll need to keep | | | | planted just about anytime in the warm months |
| up a regular schedule of feeding with a weak mix | | | | except when the sun is scorching and the |
| of 20-20-20 fertilizer. | | | | weather is very hot. |
| Good Drainage Essential | | | | To plant, loosen the soil to a depth of 12 to 15 |
| Hostas thrive in soil that has been amended with | | | | inches and make a hole twice the size of the |
| the addition of compost or rotted animal manure. | | | | plant's rootball. An inch or two of good compost |
| But though they appreciate a soil that will hold | | | | added to the bottom of the hole is great, but not |
| water well enough to keep them constantly | | | | essential. Align the plant so that the top of the |
| moist, they don't like wet feet and will suffer if | | | | rootball is even with the soil around the hole. Refill |
| they're planted in a soggy spot. | | | | the space around the rootball, firming the soil |
| It's really important to plant hostas in soil that | | | | gently (but not so much that the soil becomes |
| allows excess moisture to drain off, leaving room | | | | dense and compacted). Water well after planting. |
| for air around the roots. If a hosta's roots can't | | | | |