My mind went straight to hosta. Hosta, plaintain lily, funkia, whatever the name you use, this is a dynamite plant for shade or partial shade, and even in some cases for a sunny spot.
Why hosta? A tree has grown, and as a result I need to replace some sun loving plants with something more shade tolerant. Of course, I am gravitating toward my favorite easy-to-grow shade plant: hosta. In the beginning, I was delighted by plain green hostas, but nowadays the selection has expanded to a dizzying array of sizes, colors, and even textures. It's a tough decision.
The Wide World of Hostas It's no wonder people collect hostas. For one thing, they're winter hardy to zone 3a. They also look great. Some hostas grow in an upright vase-like shape, others form a rounded outline; some are waist high and others hug the ground. Some are green, some are gold, some are blue, some are variegated. Some are smooth and some are puckered. Some varieties ultimately become huge and exotic specimens worthy of the grandest estate garden, others stay smaller than your hand. A hosta specialty nursery will astound you with the selection.
Hostas are Versatile Hostas can be used for many purposes and special effects in the garden. A grouping of hostas selected for their patterns and textures can create a breathtaking garden display. There is nothing to compare with a mature planting of hostas beneath a sheltering grove of tall trees. Hostas can be magnificent in mixed plantings, tucked beneath the shade of smaller flowering trees and shrubs, or interspersed with taller perennials.
Hostas thrive in containers from urns to windowboxes, look great accenting or bordering the shady perennial bed of ferns and wildflowers, add permanence and structure to plantings of impatiens and other shade-loving annuals.
Hostas can be planted en masse as a dramatic ground cover, or used as a specimen or focal point. The options are wide open.
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