What do hosta bulbs look like

This leaves only the plant — the roots, the crown, and the little stem buds. Bare root hostas are lighter and cleaner to ship than plants that are potted up in soil, and they also have a reduced chance of transmitting soil-borne diseases. Bare root hostas are also often much more affordable to purchase than plants that are potted up and sold while the leaves are actively growing.

Because they lack this coating, they can dry out easily, and can transplant more easily into the soil if soaked for an hour or two before planting. But even though hosta bulbs are really just bare root plants, they are generally sold alongside flowering bulbs, as they can be packaged and sold in a similar manner.

The most important factor in caring for newly-planted hosta roots is to keep the soil moist but not wet. This will allow the roots to access the water and the air they need to become established in their new home. Check the soil on a regular basis to see if it is moist. Most hostas can be watered once a week, but they might require more frequent watering in the weeks right after planting and during dry spells as they become established. Adding a quality organic mulch like homemade compost can help keep the moisture in the soil by reducing evaporation and keeping the soil cool.

The compost will also provide a gentle supply of nutrients to the hosta plants. This year as they are just starting to come out of the ground. Can I grow a Hosta in Miami city? I have a huge shady area and don't know what to plant.

Hello, Miami! Thank you for your enthusiasm for the Almanac! Many plants, most hostas included, require a winter dormancy period. The need is genetic, so specific to the species. A few species have lower requirements; these include Hosta clausa, Hosta gracillima, Hosta kikutii, Hosta longipes, Hosta montana southern forms , Hosta nakaiana, Hosta plantaginea, Hosta rupifraga, Hosta sieboldii,Hosta ventricosa, Hosta venusta, and Hosta yingeri thanks to plantdelights.

However, these may fail to thrive and eventually deteriorate. Your best bet is to visit a nursery in the area and ask them for recommendations. They would be most familiar with the conditions and so knowledgable about the options. I have beautiful Hostas but lately they are turning brown and it looks like something is eating them. Please help. Hostas naturally die back with the arrival of cooler temperatures in the fall, so you could be seeing that.

Skip to main content. You are here Gardening » Growing Guides. How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Hostas. By The Editors. When to Plant Hostas Buy hostas as dormant, bare-root divisions or potted plants and plant them in the spring or in the fall. Hostas can be planted during the summer growing season, but will need extra attention mostly watering to ensure that they do not succumb to the heat of summer.

Choosing and Preparing a Planting Site Hostas do best in partial sun or dappled shade, but will do fine in deep shade, too. Once established, they can take the summer heat and withstand mild droughts. Soil should be well-draining and ideally have a pH between slightly acidic and neutral 6. Set the plants in the hole so that the crown base of the plant is even with the surrounding soil and any emerging leaf tips are visible at the soil surface.

If buying potted hostas, plant them at the same soil level as in the pot. Gently dampen the soil around the plants and water until soil is moist to settle the roots. How to Care for Hostas Apply a well-balanced, slow-release fertilizer after planting or when growth emerges in the spring.

Keep the soil moist but not soaked. If the soil tends to dry out quickly, consider placing mulch around the plants to help retain moisture, but be aware that mulch can be a hiding place for slugs. Remove flower stalks after bloom to encourage new growth. Many hosta cultivars have nice color in fall, so let them thrive until they start to suffer from frosts. In late fall , after a few frosts, hostas will flatten out and get mushy. We suggest cutting them back to avoid slug and disease issues.

Clean up around the plants and remove brown leaves. However, if you run out of time, you could also wait to cut them back until spring. Transplanting and dividing is best done in early spring when the leaves just begin to emerge. Transplanting or Dividing Hostas Hostas do not usually need dividing for their health. See video:. Look for shiny slime trails on the leaves or on the ground around the plants.

To discourage deer, use fencing or motion-sensitive sprinklers. Speak to your local garden center about odor-based sprays and deer repellents; the deer will taste the distasteful repellent first.

Rabbits : If you see clean-cut chew marks on young hosta stems and leaves you may have rabbits in your garden. Look for dropped leaves and rabbit droppings on the ground and around the plants.

Here are just a few: H. It makes for a nice edging plant. In mid-summer it blooms with mauve-blue flowers. For sunnier spots, select plants from the Hosta plantaginea group. These plants also tend to have fragrant flowers in late summer.

Young hosta leaves are edible. The flavor is similar to lettuce and asparagus. If you wish to remove your hostas, cut off the leaves to the ground and then dig out the crown located just below ground level. Pour vinegar or boiling water over the plant. If you have a larger area of hostas that you want to remove, cut the leaves off, remove the crowns and then cover the area with black plastic for the rest of the growing season.

Vegetable Gardener's Handbook. What do you want to read next? Planting Fall Bulbs for Spring Easy Perennial Flowers for Enjoy a touch of Christmas in Summer! Hosta Fantastic Foliage Mix. Out for Season. Hosta Regal Splendor. The thick, curved leaves on this herbaceous perennial become more bluish-green as the summer progresses and the glaucous coating fades. These blooms add a perfect touch of class to the upright, vase-shaped mound of foliage.

Hosta First Frost. Hosta Frances Williams. With her durability and beauty, it's no wonder Frances Williams is a crowd favorite! Hosta Stained Glass. Deep cut veins and dark green margins give her huge, Give this beauty a home in a moist, shady spot to add to your dramatic foliage display!

Hosta Earth Angel. Use as a groundcover, mix with other perennials, or let Earth Angel shine its celestial light in large, prominent clumps. Well, we've got just the blend for you! Dangling, heart-shaped blooms of the Dicentra add an extra graceful element to the group.

This gathering of plants is ideal for a patio container or to add some love and passion to your garden bed. Hosta T-Rex. Hosta T-Rex never fails to impress with massive mounds of spectacular blue-green leaves that measure 18 in. The astoundingly huge, floppy leaves feature dramatic waves and deep vein puckering.

These characteristics make Hosta T-Rex both an interesting focal point as well as an excellent pick for showcasing other flowers.

Hosta Royal Standard. The fragrant flowers are perched atop in. Hosta Antioch. The sturdy leaves of Hosta Antioch feature a delicate wave that bright life to sleepy garden spots. Where to Plant With an astounding range of sizes and shapes available, Hostas are perfect for both in-ground and container planting. When to Plant The best time to plant Hostas is in early spring or early fall, depending on your gardening climate and the variety.

How to Plant For outdoor landscape planting , locate a spot where the soil drains well, and your Hosta will receive the appropriate amount of light based on the specific variety.

Tuck your bare root plants in the soil with the roots pointing downwards and the "eyes" or growing points slightly below soil level. Refer to the mature width information in the "Plant Size" section of your chosen variety for desired spacing.

For container planting , ensure there are adequate drainage holes in your pots and that they are well-suited to your plant's mature size. Fill with a good-quality potting mix. Water thoroughly , gently soaking the soil and settling it around the roots. How to Grow Water as needed during active growth periods; about 1" of moisture per week is a reasonable estimate.

Leave the foliage in place after flowering is done for the season. The leaves will gather sunlight, create food through photosynthesis, and strengthen the bulb for the future.

Clip off spent flower stems when blooming has finished for the season, as Hostas will continue to provide attractive foliage until fall or longer, depending on where you live in the country.

Trim off yellow or wilted leaves when cold weather prompts your plants to slip into dormancy. Your Hostas will rest for a few months before beginning the next growing cycle. Bear in mind that while Hostas are touted as "shade-loving," their sunlight requirements can vary based on the variety.

Research the mature size of your Hosta before choosing a planting site or container. Amend soil with the addition of compost, finely ground bark, or decomposed manure to improve drainage.