Anyone who has created a shade garden knows the growing challenges that shade can present. Hostas, which are grown primarily for their decorative foliage, are one of the most fool-proof plants for shady areas. Also known as plantain lily, these reliable long-lived perennials come in a wide range of colors, patterns, textures, shapes and sizes, performing well in most growing zones.
Hostas complement many other shade-tolerant plants, whether used as a background plant or assuming a starring role. They make an invaluable addition to beds, mixed borders, woodland settings, containers, foundation and mass plantings. With hundreds of varieties to choose from, some gardeners will even design an entire shade border using nothing but hostas.
HOSTA GARDEN DESIGN IDEAS
1. Plant Hostas in Containers
Showcase a single specimen in a decorative container and display in a prominent shady spot. Place the container on a deck or patio, use as a lawn accent, as a welcoming entryway specimen, or a focal point at the end of a pathway. Since plants in containers dry out more quickly than those in the ground, check moisture levels frequently during hot spells. Shadowland® Diamond Lake is a larger variety, with thick corrugated blue-green leaves that make a bold statement in the garden.
2. Plant a Row of Hostas as a Bold Background
Mass a medium to large hosta variety at the rear of a woodland border as a background plant. Here, the bold variegation and large puckered foliage of Shadowland® ‘Seducer’ provides a stunning backdrop to the colorful hues of Heart to Heart® ‘Raspberry Moon’ caladium, Heart to Heart® ‘Scarlet Flame’ caladium, and Catalina® Midnight Blue wishbone flower.
3. Create a Focal Point with a Large Hosta
Feature a large hosta specimen in an island bed or underneath a shade tree. Hostas come in many foliage colors, including shades of green, blue, blue-green, chartreuse, and gold. In this serene backyard, the fine green leaves of ferns provide a contrasting backdrop to showcase the blue-green textured foliage of Shadowland® ‘Empress Wu’. Other hostas with chartreuse and variegated foliage add pops of bright color for additional contrast.
4. Group Potted Hostas on a Patio
Add elegance to a shaded patio by planting hostas in containers or as edging. For months of color, choose companion plants with different colored foliage and flowers. The hostas growing on this patio include Shadowland® ‘Hudson Bay’, ‘Autumn Frost’, and ‘Coast to Coast’, plus varieties of coleus, sedum, coral bells, foamy bells and begonia.
5. Combine With Other Woodland Plants
When gardening with hostas in a woodland setting, combine with other shade lovers. Include trees, shrubs and perennials with foliage in different sizes, colors and shapes, as well as flowers that bloom at different times. This engaging shade border features Shadowland® ‘Waterslide’ hosta, Let’s Dance® Rave® reblooming hydrangea, Primo® ‘Black Pearl’ coral bells, and Primo® Pistachio Ambrosia coral bells.