Hosta plants
Hostas are popular and distinctive, shade-loving perennials with large, lush tropical foliage that makes a beautiful addition to any garden. Robust, easy to grow and long-lived, they go dormant over the winter before bursting into life from new shoots each spring. Hostas produce summer flowers held on spikes high above the foliage in shades of mauve through to white. Originating from China and Japan, they are perfect for brightening up a dull corner and will succeed in the border, pots or containers. There is a wide selection available in a range of colours, leaf shapes and sizes. As a rule of thumb, the lighter the foliage colour, the more sunlight they should receive. Deeper green varieties retain their colour best in moderate shade, whereas varieties with prominent splashes of white, cream or gold need more sunlight to maintain their variegation. Fertilise hostas with a general purpose fertiliser each spring, tidy up the foliage in late autumn and keep the slugs at bay! Established plants can be lifted and divided in spring or autumn, if required.