Summer Featured Plant
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Hosta cultivars
Hosta or Plantain Lily
by Kate Wallen, Botanic Garden intern
Hostas are
making a comeback in the gardening world. Natives of Japan, China and Korea,
hostas are long-living perennials that are becoming popular foliage plants for
shady areas and even containers. In addition, hostas require very little maintenance,
making them even more attractive to the busy gardener. These clump-forming perennials
come in a variety of leaf shapes, textures and colors, with plant widths varying
from just a few inches to 48" in diameter at maturity! Anywhere from early
to late summer, hostas send up flower stalks from the center of the plant. Flowers
are somewhat long and bell-shaped and come in shades of white, lavender or purple.
Hosta planting at Pratt
Hall.
Hostas are virtually maintenance free. With proper
soil preparation at planting time, as mentioned above, your plant will be provided
with enough nutrients, and generally not need fertilizing. However, fertilizing
will not harm the plant; many people apply a general plant fertilizer to new
plantings for the first year. Hosta are susceptible to some pests, and in some
areas, slugs or deer may be a problem.
Hosta 'August Moon' in front
of the
Career Development Center.
At the end of the growing season the hosta leaves
will die off leaving very few remains, except for the flower stalks, which can
be trimmed back if desired. Once you plant your hosta they require very little
work but will bring you much enjoyment for many years.
Another view of
the hostas at Pratt Hall.
Hosta 'Paul's Glory' adds
color
to this shady container.
When choosing a hosta keep in mind several
points. The first of which is the size of the area you have for planting a hosta.
A plant that you may buy at a nursery in a 5" pot may grow to be 24-30"
in diameter! Remember that it may take several years for your plant to reach
its full size. Also note the soil conditions where you wish to plant hostas.
Hostas grow best in soils that are moisture-retentive. When planting hostas
it is recommended to first amend your soil with some compost, leaf mold, manure,
or pre-packaged soil containing peat moss. This will increase the soil's ability
to retain water and also add nutrients. Hostas do not do well in beach sand
or clay. The sand allows the water to pass through too quickly, while the clay
does not allow for aeration of the soil.
A bird's eye view of Hosta 'Green
Eyes'.
Hostas can be viewed on the Mount Holyoke College
campus in many locations. Just this spring a stunning hosta planting was put
in around Pratt Hall. This is a great place to see the great variety of colors
and shapes that hostas come in. Also visit the Chapel Garden to see two splendid
examples of 'Blue Angel' hostas. There are also many hosta plantings around
the buildings on campus. Please walk around and see which hostas inspire planting
ideas for your home.
Hosta 'Blue Angel' in the
Chapel Garden.
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