Level of Shade
With so many hosta varieties to choose from, how do you pick the right one for your garden? The key lies in understanding the type of shade your garden offers. Shades can be categorized as deep shade (no direct sunlight), part shade (sun in the morning, shade in the afternoon), or bright shade (dappled sunlight under trees). Here’s a breakdown of which hostas thrive in each type of shade:
- Blue-green leaf varieties of hostas do best in deep shade.
- Variegated leaf varieties are versatile and do well in deep shade, part shade, or bright shade.
- Bright green and chartreuse varieties thrive in part shade to bright shade.
Caring for Hostas
While hostas are relatively easy to care for, they do have some common pests to watch out for. Slugs are a frequent problem—using slug bait or placing a saucer of beer near the plants can help. Voles may also be an issue, but you can combat them by using Permatill or Vole Bloc in the soil or planting in wire baskets. And, of course, deer can be a real challenge, so don’t forget to use deer deterrent sprays.
Hosta Varieties Available at Meadows Farms
With more than 100 beautiful varieties to choose from in our nursery, picking the perfect one can feel like a delightful but time-consuming task! To make it easier, we’ve listed some of our favorite shade-friendly hostas below. Remember, these are just a selection of the varieties that Meadows Farms carries. Please call your local Meadows Farms for other varieties or special requests.