Hosta, The Friendship Plant

Hostas have been dubbed “the friendship plant” because they are easily divided for sharing with friends and neighbors. Native to China, Japan and Korea hostas have been grown in America for over 150 years. This favorite perennial can add texture, color and structure to your garden. Grown primarily for their foliage, hostas can be used in containers on your screened porch or patio, in the garden as specimen plants, edging plants as well as in masses. You can also use their leaves in fresh flower arrangements.

There are few perennials that are as easy to grow as the hosta (also known as Plantain Lily). For the best performance, hostas prefer light shade to a couple of hours of sun in the morning. They like rich, moist soil but need good drainage. If watered well, sun tolerant varieties will survive in the sun. Hostas have leaves in shades of green, from nearly blue to nearly yellow and some are variegated. The leaf shapes vary, from small and pointed to huge, round and puckered. The details in different varieties of hosta leaves are very interesting; the colors of white, cream and yellow blended with the green and blue-green shades create a huge array of different patterns. Some of the varieties have smooth, shiny leaves while others are heavily textured, giving them a quilted or puckered appearance. Along with their wonderful leaves, hostas also feature elongated stems with bell shaped flowers of white to deep purple. Another benefit that some varieties feature is fragrance.

It is important to note that they are attractive to deer, rabbits, slugs and snails. If your hostas are bothered by any of these “guests,” please visit our garden center and we will be happy to help you find a solution. Below are some of the varieties we carry at Fairview Garden Center. If you have any questions, our team of experts are here to help!

Happy Gardening,
Cindy G.
Fairview Greenhouses & Garden Center


Note: Due to variance in monitor calibration the colors in the pictures below may not be accurate; they are a guideline only. The “Leaf Color” Listed is more accurate.

Name: Patriot - 1997 Hosta of the Year
Plant Size: Medium 19” Tall
Growth Rate: Fast
Leaf Size: 7” X 5” W
Leaf Color: Dark green leaf with a white margin
Bloom Color: Lavender
Benefits: Sun resistant