Growing Hostas in Your Houston, Texas Garden

Hostas are not as easy to grow in a Houston, Texas garden as they are in cooler climates, but don't let that discourage you. There are plenty of varieties of Hosta that will do just fine here in Houston. While they will not grow as large as they would in a cooler climate, you can still use Hostas to add lots of color and interest to your Houston, Texas garden. Also, since they do prefer cooler temperatures, you don't have to worry about your Hostas when the temperatures here do get a little colder. To provide them with the best conditions for color and growth, plant them in well drained soil, and make sure they have plenty of room to grow in your garden. Also, for most varieties, don't plant Hostas in full sun, as their beautiful leaves can burn. If you think you would enjoy growing Hostas in your own Houston, Texas garden, try some of the varieties below.

Great Expectations. These gorgeous Hostas have bright green leaves edged in blue-green, a beautiful addition to your Houston, Texas garden. They do best in partial to full shade, and if they do get sun, it should be morning only. Plant these Hostas in the fall or early spring, and they will bloom with white flowers during the summer. They can stand temperatures as cold as zero degrees (unlikely in Houston, Texas), and will grow to be between one and two feet tall in your garden.

So Sweet. A great choice for Houston, Texas gardens, this Hosta tolerates the heat and humidity very well and can even tolerate partial sun. Plant these disease resistant Hostas during the spring or fall in your Houston, Texas garden, and enjoy their fragrant white flowers during the summer. They have beautiful green leaves edged in pale yellow. These Hostas are disease resistant and cold tolerant (down to zero degrees), but snails and slugs love them, so if you have a problem with these pests be sure to protect against them in your garden.

Stained Glass. This Hosta has very pretty, fragrant flowers of pale lavender. It is another great choice for Houston, Texas, more tolerant of the heat and humidity than other varieties. Plant these Hostas in full to partial shade in late fall or early spring, and they will bloom all summer. Their lovely leaves are light green, edged in dark green, and deeply veined. These Hostas are disease resistant and can stand the cold down to zero degrees (again, unlikely in Houston, Texas.)

Plantain Lily. A good choice for groundcover in your Houston, Texas garden, these Hostas can grow to be two feet tall and spread up to 30 inches. Plant them in full to partial shade during the late fall or early spring, and they will bloom during the summer with lavender and white flowers. They can take the cold down to zero degrees, and are also tolerant of the Houston, Texas heat and humidity. These Hostas are also a favorite with snails and slugs, so be sure to treat your garden appropriately for these pests.

Source list:

Personal experience

http://www.chron.com/apps/chron_data/plants.mpl