Hostas are pretty, easy to care for and a great design element for any garden. To be more precise: for almost every garden! Because there may be one or the other who cannot offer this perennial a suitable location. However, this is a decisive factor for their development. It is about the life-giving sun. The hosta would like to hide from her a little.
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Shady origin
How well do hostas and sun get along? To find out, let’s turn to their original home and take a look at the typical habitats there. The perennials, scientifically named Hosta, have been an integral part of the great outdoors in China and Japan for centuries. They grow mainly in wooded areas where the crowns of the trees allow little direct sunlight to penetrate them. As a result, these plants have adapted to a cool, shadowy existence. They carry this preference with them to this day, and they keep it even when they take root in a place far from home.
Instead of forest: balconies, terraces and gardens
The question of sun tolerance must also be asked because the hosta has now become a cultivated plant due to its attractiveness. As such, the forest alone is no longer their territory. Rather, it adorns man-made gardens or, as a bucket example, balconies and terraces. The sun is more present here than it is in the forest.
Of course, not every corner of this country has the same climate. Typical sunshine duration and intensity vary from region to region. The altitude also plays a role. You will certainly have gained your own experience in this regard in your place of residence. This can be useful when choosing a location for this plant.
Effect of intense solar radiation
The shape of its leaves has also given this hardy perennial the name sweetheart lily. Although there are also varieties with spatulate or lanceolate leaves. The dense foliage is and remains its main attribute in any case, even if the plant sprout beautiful white flowers every year. It has been shown that too much sun exposure damages the leaves. The following effects have been observed:
- variegated leaves lose their pattern and fade
- blue-colored varieties change to unspectacular green
- some leaves show burns and dry up
You should therefore never expose hostas to relentless midday sun. South-facing balconies are completely unsuitable for pot specimens. A partially shaded location is usually tolerated, provided the sun only shines in the morning and evening.
Ideal soil as a second location aspect
In order to thrive optimally, hostas not only need shade to semi-shade at their location, but also the ideal soil. If you grow in a pot, the substrate provided must meet all requirements. These are based on their preference for forest floors.
- many nutrients
- high humus content
- always fresh and moist
- in the pot, a drainage layer is important
Hostas shade the ground beneath them with their large, densely packed leaves, preventing the soil from drying out quickly. If necessary, their owner must also reach for the watering can more often to compensate for moisture losses.
Hosta varieties that are willing to compromise
If you have discovered a shady location for a Funkie, where the soil will always remain moist, you can look forward to lush foliage. If, on the other hand, you do not have the ideal location to offer, you do not have to do without a sweetheart lily. Hosta plantaginea even needs sun and warmth to make its flowers smell intense. These varieties also tolerate a little more sunshine:
the green-leaved varieties
- Gold-rimmed hosta
- Korea Funkie
- Lance Funkie
- “Albomarginata”
- „Fragrant Bouquet“
- „Francee“
- „Gold Edger“
- „Guacamole“
- „Patriot“
- „Regal Splendor“
Despite the better sun tolerance, you have to make sure that these varieties have an adequate water supply. Ensuring this can be a challenging task, because it is well known that solar radiation dries out the soil faster.
Location search in practice
Protection from strong sunlight and a moist soil are two criteria that must be met when looking for a location. In addition, other aspects can also play a role in the final choice of place. For example, to what extent the hosta fits into the existing planting. Here are a few pointers and suggestions that may help you solve the location question more easily:
- the hardy perennials are well suited as underplanting
- e.g. B. under trees and next to bushes
- plan enough space
- there are “XXL varieties” that grow tall
- they must also be shaded at higher altitudes
- a proximity to rhododendrons is ideal
- also to other forest plants
- Hosta does well alongside shade grasses and ferns
- Essential perennial for Japanese-style gardens
Change of location in winter
Hostas that grow in tubs are hardy. They may hibernate outside, but protected. This may also require a change of location. When the first frost is announced, the plant is best kept close to a house wall. The eaves will protect them from snow and rain. Even icy winds cannot reach them with full force.
