Your cart is currently empty!
Get Event Reminders…
…twice a month by subscribing to our newsletter
Subscribe using the form in the page footer below.
Your cart is currently empty!
…twice a month by subscribing to our newsletter
Subscribe using the form in the page footer below.
Photo:
Hans via Pixabay
Hostas are lush, leafy perennials that generally thrive in shade to part sun. They are sought after for their leaves, and their ability to thrive in shade, although, every year there are new introductions whose flowers are extremely fragrant, adding to the mix. These plants come in tiny form, like Hosta Blue Mouse Ears, or Hosta Tiny Tears, to gigantic, such as Hosta Blue Umbrellas, Hosta Sum and Substance, or Hosta Old Faithful. They can be used as edgers, or as large specimens, taking a special place of prominence in the garden.
In the deep dark corners of your garden, you can find some pretty shady characters! Hostas are a staple in this setting, but if you look carefully you will see some other interesting friends nearby.
Botanical Name: Hosta species
En français: Hosta
See More Plants in this Botanical Family:
Blooms:
Sun / Shade:
Watering:
Height:
Width:
The most striking feature of Hostas are the dramatic range of colour variation, and leaf type. They range through greens, blues, gold, and variegated forms. The leaves can be puckered, wrinkled, shiny, smooth, heavily veined and so on. Their stems can be green, or red. It is this immense range that drives collectors crazy, and starts one on the quest to have all the latest Hosta in your collection. Hostas love rich soil and moist conditions. They do best in shade, but some can tolerate sun if given continuous access to moisture .
One surprising fact is that certain Hosta that an tolerate both sun and shade, look like completely different plants when put in shade or sun. Try Hosta Paul’s Glory, or Hosta June. In each case they do well, but look very different, with creams and blues in the shade, and sharper contrast with gold in the sun. It is fun to experiment.
In a moist shady setting, Hosta, Ferns and Astilbe are a great combination, along with Heuchera, and various other woodland plants. Combinations of color and contrasting forms create real drama in the garden. Ferns can come in a surprisingly wide array. Ostrich Ferns are huge and lush adding an almost tropical feel to the garden. Japanese Painted ferns add a colour contrast that is sometimes ghostly. The Maidenhair Fern is refined and lacelike, adding texture, while the Autumn Fern adds a bronze glow. Who new ferns were such interesting characters? Heuchera also provide a range of colour and texture. While they flower, they are sought after for the impact of the leaf…adding a range of burgundy and red to the shade…..not the most retiring characters.
After you have populated your shady neighborhood with a cast of Hostas of all sizes, shapes and colours, and then broken up the “clique” with a few rowdy Ferns and showy Heuchera, you can begin the think of some of the other members of the family that will tolerate shade. Some grasses, such as Northern Sea Oats, and the Japanese (golden) Hakonechloa will do well in shade, as will some conifers. Add structure and impact with Japanese Yew, or a weeping Hemlock. Topping off the list of shady characters are a range of woodland plants, from trillium, to winterberry and more, add that final touch. The shady characters in our garden are the ones who bring it to life, give it mystery and surprise. So when you turn that dark corner, watch out for the surprising shady characters you may meet….they are all pretty interesting, and certainly all memorable!
Logging in to comment gives you more features, but it is not required.
Brussels sprouts need to be grown in full sun and in rich soil. I will treat them as I treat my potted tomatoes daily watering.
Gardening in the springtime offers numerous benefits, both for you & the environment. Enjoy delicious fruits, vegetables, herbs & more while adding beauty to your home. Get growing w/ these tips: vegetables, herbs & annuals – ideal options for the spring season.
Houseplants are the perfect solution to help purify the air and add serenity to your space. Plus, they can add natural color and exotic beauty to bedrooms.
Lilacs are one of the great landscape plants! Among the reasons to love them, their sweet perfume and beautiful blooms adored by butterflies.
Discover the beauty of Veronica Liwanensis, an easy-to-grow ground cover perfect for rock gardens and sunny yards. Learn how to cultivate this charming plant!
Create a stunning and eco-friendly garden with native wildflowers that attract pollinators and add vibrant colors to your outdoor space.
Grey headed Coneflower has eye-catching yellow flowers that entice birds and pollinators. It is ideal for natural plantings and meadows.
Discover a simpler method for hardening off seedlings and creating protective environments for your plants to avoid sunscald and promote healthy growth.
Learn sustainable mushroom cultivation. Along with their sustainability, numerous types of mushrooms are a nutritious food with decreased calories and no cholesterol or fat. Use these eco-friendly tips and start growing mushrooms today!
Wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) is a plant that can pose several dangers to humans and animals due to its toxic sap and other characteristics.
If you have numerous garden trees in the backyard, it could be dangerous as they may fall down, causing a lot of damage. This article looks at tell-tale signs of whether yours are in danger of falling.
Types of shrubs, there are two. Evergreen shrubs have year-round leaves. Deciduous bushes lose their leaves in the winter. We present ideas.
GardeningCalendar.ca gets some funding from advertisers. If you click on links and advertisements at no cost to you, the site may receive a small commission that helps fund its operation.
© 2025 J&S Calendars Ltd.