With the right planning, hostas (Hosta spp.)and hydrangeas (Hydrangea spp.)are perfect partners. Both thrive in part shade, while hostas even tolerate the deeper shade cast by the taller shrubs.
Astilbe, ferns, geraniums, and shady-friendly bulbs are great companions for hostas. Two of our favorites: bleeding hearts and heuchera. Bleeding heart (dicentra) plants provide delicate flowers and elegant, arching branches — the perfect contrast to bold, shiny, or variegated hosta plants.
What is a good companion plant for hydrangeas?
Shade tolerant perennials make excellent partners next to hydrangeas. Some of the best are hostas, ferns, foxglove & coral bells. Many upright hydrangeas create a shady area under their foliage. This is a great location for planting shade-loving hostas.
Where should you not plant hostas?
It’s important to know that these perennials grow best in soil that’s fertile and full of organic matter. Avoid planting hostas in heavy clay soil, which won’t offer enough drainage. In areas that receive a lot of snow in the winter, to protect stems and leaves, place hostas where snow tends to pile up.
Can you plant hostas with hydrangeas? – Related Questions
Should hostas be cut back for winter?
As a general rule, hostas should be cut back in the late fall. Start with leaves that have wilted or turned brown. Healthy leaves can stay a bit longer to help the roots store needed energy. If 25% or more of the hostas is dying, you will know it is time to cut it back.
Are hostas OK in full sun?
Hosta varieties with extensive white coloration or with thin leaves are likely to burn in full sun. In general, blue-leaf hostas require shade, while those with fragrant flowers, gold or yellow foliage or slight white variegation can tolerate more sun.
How far away from the house should you plant hostas?
Can you plant hostas next to your house?
‘ can be planted right behind them. Since hostas return reliably every year, you can count on them to fill the beds up near your home with no fuss, no muss color and texture.
Do hostas like to be crowded?
Hostas are shade-loving plants, which makes them a great option for low sun areas where other plants can’t grow. However, hostas do need space to spread out, so do not plant them in an already crowded garden. Keep in mind that humans aren’t the only ones who love hostas.
Are hostas better in pots or ground?
As they thrive in a water-retentive soil they’re ideal for planting in a bog garden but they should not be treated as an aquatic marginal. For this reason they are often planted by, but never in, a pond. When growing in pots, ensure there are plenty of drainage holes as waterlogged soil will kill the plant.
When should you cut the blooms off of hostas?
The American Hosta Society recommends cutting off each scape after three-fourths of the flower buds have opened; this keeps the plants from diverting energy into setting seeds for the next year so instead they’ll grow more roots and leaves.
Do hostas like morning or afternoon sun?
Although they’re known for their shade-tolerance, most hosta varieties perform well when exposed to a bit of morning sun and afternoon shade. Too much sun exposure will result in burned leaves, starting from the edges inward. The leaves will look brown, dry, and papery. Too much sun exposure also causes colors to fade.
Can you leave hostas in pots over winter?
You can keep your hostas in containers from year to year, but it’s not as easy as overwintering the ones in the garden itself. In fact, some folks will plant their container hostas in the ground for the winter. Other gardeners bury their pots outside, so that the roots are underground, just as a garden hosta would be.
How do you winterize hostas?
Steps To Care For Hostas in Winter
Water deeply once a month in the fall.
After the first hard freeze, cut off dead leaves.
Cover the remaining plant with mulch.
Do not water during the winter.
Remove mulch during the spring months.
Potted plants need a cold dormant area such as a garage or shed.
Will potted hostas come back every year?
Hostas are easy to overwinter in containers. Herbaceous perennials in pots — plants that die back and are dormant in winter — that have been part of your summer container displays need to be protected over the winter if they’re going to survive and bloom again next year.
What temperature is too cold for hostas?
Hostas will stop growing and stop “business as usual” operations below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. But they truly go dormant (wilted leaves, browning foliage) when they experience freezing weather. So, around 32 degrees Fahrenheit and 0 degrees Celsius.
What happens if you don’t cut hostas back?
The good news is that hostas, also known as plantain lilies, are tough and forgiving plants. Even if you forget to prune them at a certain time or you neglect to prune them at all, they’ll still survive just fine, even if they don’t look their best.
How long do hostas live?
Hostas require little care and will live to be 30 or more years if properly cared for. While most known for thriving in the shade garden, the reality is more nuanced. The ideal situation is dappled shade.
How many hours of full sun can hostas take?
At best, Hostas like sun in moderate amounts. The varieties I recommended above can tolerate around 6 hours of morning sun. They’ll likely burn up with 6 hours of intense afternoon sun or 6 hours of morning sun with even just 2 hours of afternoon sun.
What is the most sun tolerant hosta?
Hosta plantaginea, which is a sun tolerant hosta, is a Chinese native that opens white flowers in late summer at dusk, releasing a heady perfume. Other fragrant varieties of hostas for sun include ‘Ambrosia’ and ‘Fried Green Tomatoes. ‘
