Hostas: The Art of Using One Type and Making it look Different

If you began your gardening with freebies as many of us did, you no-doubtly have found yourself dividing the same plant over and over again. Of course, there are a tremendous amount of varieties and types that allow us to do this. But for me the "go to plant" for standardizing a bed, is the hosta.

The hosta, though only flowers once in mid-to-late season, offers beautiful foliage and interest from spring through fall. Also its fairly drought resistant and easy care. Plus there is rarely a shortage of new plants available if you rotate dividing. Just one, three-year-old hosta can yield at least 10 new plants when divided.

The key, when using the same hosta through-out your garden and landscape- and make it look different, is to be creative. Think outside the box. In the pictures below, you will see how I used the standard, "Zager's White Edged"  Hosta, utilized in many different ways.

The hostas in this picture are from first year separations.
 I divided these back in May of this year.






Using Zager'sWhite Edge in combination with Sun and Substance Lime Green Hosta adds more color. These hostas are about five years old, and yes, started from one of my others.

Soon the daisies and daylillies,

will add color to this small garden bed. 

This "Hide Out" Hosta, is similar to the white edge one, but with a bit more white and the curling edges. This one is placed random alongside Knock-Out Rose and hydrangea.

This is my over flo garden. All the hostas in this garden are only three years old.

 Even potted, the hosta, can add to the garden.

And in this arrangement, I used hosta as a filler,

with ivy geranium and wave petunias.

Before: Path as shade garden

After: Path as sun garden.

Three years ago, we reworked the front of our house. (above) Ripping out two 50 year old pine trees, that were too close to the house and not doing well. The path was there, so I decided to incorporate it into the new design.  Lining it with two types of hostas, to create a wave effect. At first it was pretty sparse, as all were transplants. Now approaching its third year, you can see the wave! 

While I am content re-purposing the types of hostas I have, of course, there always a new ones on my wish list. For more to dream about, visit http://www.bhg.com/gardening/plant-dictionary/perennial/hosta/.