How2Day: Large Hosta Plants

Most hostas bear flowers on long stalks in shades of purple. Nathan Blaney/Photodisc/Getty Images
Hostas are an ideal choice for a shady perennial garden. With 2500 cultivars ranging in size from just a few inches to more than five feet tall, hostas can be blue, green, variegated green and creamy white, or gold. A large hosta can be a focal point of your shade garden, or, planted in groups, can fill in a large expanse under trees where not much else will prosper.

Hosta Sum & Substance is a giant plant, growing 3 to 6 feet high and spreading 6 to 10 feet. Hardy in zones 3 to 9, this hosta has chartreuse-colored upright leaves. In sun, its leaves take on a yellowish cast. Scapes (flower stalks) are 3 feet long and bear purple or lavender flowers in late July and August. While drought-tolerant, Hosta Sum & Substance does best in moist, well-drained fertile soil. Propagate by dividing plants in late spring or early summer. Keep in mind that hostas take 4 to 8 years to reach maturity, so leave them plenty of room to grow.

Hosta Fort Knox is an upright hosta that reaches about 2 feet high and 4 feet in width. This showy hosta has yellowish-gold leaves 10 inches long, with purple/lavender flowers in July and August. Like most hostas, it prefers moist, well-drained fertile soil and is a perfect hosta for planting at the base of trees. It is shade tolerant but does best when exposed to early morning sun. Divide in late summer or early spring. This variety is subject to damage from slugs and snails, and in containers, vine weevils.

Hosta Earth Angel has large heart-shaped blue-green leaves with elegant white borders. Scapes are 40 inches high and bear pale lavender flowers in midsummer. Hardy in zones 3 to 9, it grows to about 30 inches high and spreads about 40 inches. It needs part to full shade and moist, well-drained, highly organic soil. Divide any time during the growing season. This variety is vulnerable to slugs.

As its name implies, Hosta Aspen Gold has puckered bright gold leaves. This hosta grows best in moist, well-drained soil with full morning sun and is shade tolerant. Hosta Aspen Gold grows 3 to 6 feet in height and 3 to 6 feet wide. Flowers in shades of purple appear in early summer. Divide in late summer or early spring. This variety is vulnerable to slugs and snails, and, in containers, to vine weevils.

With its frosty blue-gray leaves and vase-like shape, Hosta Krossa Regal is a background plant that grows about 3 feet high and 5 feet wide. Its 5-foot scapes bear lavender flowers in midsummer. Hardy in zones 3 to 9, its thick leaves make this hosta resistant to slugs. Moist, well-drained soil is best. Like most hostas, Hosta Krossa Regal does not tolerate hot afternoon sun.

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