Hostas for the North East

Several varieties of Hostas do very well in the north east. All Hostas have two things in common. They need partial and/or full shade and moist , well-drained soil. What they don't have in common is size, leaf color and flower color. Hostas do well as container plants, in rock gardens, as border plants and since they all need the same conditions, a mixed planting of different varieties with different leaves and different flowers that bloom at different times would make a spectacular display.

Curled Leaf
Hosta (Hosta crispula) is also known as Plantain Lily. This member of the Hosta family grows from 2 to 3 feet tall and 1-1/2 to 2 feet wide. The plant has 8-inch long and 4 to 5 inch wide, lance-shaped, mid-green leaves with white, wavy edges. Violet flowers bloom in early summer. Plant in partial to full shade and a soil that is moist and very well drained. Use Curled Leaf Hosta as a ground cover. Curled leaf Hosta is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8.

Fragrant Hosta
(Hosta plantaginea) has bright yellow-green, 10 inch long, heart-shaped leaves and fragrant white flowers that bloom in the early summer. The plant grows from 1 to 1-1/4 feet tall and up to 2 feet wide.Hosta plantaginea Grandiflora' has narrow foliage 'August Moon' has crinkled yellow blades,'Honeybells' has fragrant lilac flowers and yellow-green wavy leaves, 'Piedmont Gold' is one of the tall plants with yellow leaves and 'Sweet Susan' has glossy green leaves with fragrant lilac flowers. Plant in partial shade and a moist, well-drained soil. Fragrant Hosta is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9.

Lance Leaf Hosta
(Hosta lancifolia) has 4 to 7 inches long long, pointy, glossy leaves and purple flowers that bloom in late summer and last into autumn. Plant in partial to full shade and a moist, well-drained soil. The plant grows up to 1-1/2 feet tall and 2-1/2 feet wide. Hosta lancifolia viridis marginata is smaller and the leaves are yellow with a green margin. Lance Leaf Hosta is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8.

Siebold Hosta
(Hosta sieboldiana) has heart-shaped, blue green leaves up to 15 inches long and 12 inches wide and pale lilac flowers. The plant grows from 2 to 3 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide. Plant in partial to full shade and a moist, well-drained soil. Hosta sieboldiana 'Aurora Borealis' has leaves accented with gold, 'Elegans' has steel blue leaves and 'Frances Williams' has blue green leaves with gold bands. Siebold Hosta is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8.