Did you know that hostas are one of the most popular garden plants! Native to Asia, hostas were imported to the United States in the early to mid-1800’s. An early hosta introduced in America was “Lancifolia” and this hosta can still be found in gardens today. There are now over 8,000 registered hostas and another several thousand named but unregistered hostas, so customers have a large assortment of hostas to choose from for your garden or hosta collection (not all 8,000 hostas are available for sale). Each year the American Hosta Growers Association chooses a specific hosta that grows in many different climates and regions. If you are new to hostas, the hosta of the year list can be a good place to start when adding hostas to your gardens. Additionally, there are many hosta varieties that are sold under the Proven Winners label, another good place to start in choosing hostas. Hostas also come in many sizes, from mini hostas that grow less than eight inches tall, to giant hostas which can grow over four feet tall. And hostas come in a wide range of colors from green, yellow, blue and white, and hostas also come in variegated varieties that usually have a combination of two or three of these colors in the leaves. There are also several varieties of hostas on the market that have red petioles, and there are some newer varieties that have red and dark purple coloring in the leaves.

What is especially nice about hostas is that they grow nicely in those hard to grow shady areas in your gardens. And they generally only take 3-5 years to mature, and they can live for 30 years or more. We actually have a “Sagae” in our gardens that is almost 35 years old. Additionally, you can plant hostas anytime during the growing season, from spring to late fall. According to an article in “Birds and Bloom”, fall is an excellent time to add perennials to your gardens. Because the soil is still warm, although the plant may not continue to grow, the plant roots will continue to establish themselves in the ground. And Hostas are great pollinator plants. The hosta flowers attract pollinators like bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. And different varieties of hostas bloom at different times of the year so you can have hosta flowers for the pollinators all season long.

A recent development for hostas has been the introduction of a series of miniature and small hostas to the marketplace. According to the American Hosta Society, to be classified as a miniature hosta, the plant needs to be less than eight inches tall at maturity. And small hostas measure between nine and fourteen inches tall. Small hostas are somewhat larger than mini hostas, but they still are small enough to look nice planted alongside miniatures. Interest has grown in miniature hostas because of their versatility in the garden and the wide variety of minis that can be purchased. For example, one can use miniatures or small hostas in a planter or a strawberry pot. Some varieties that would be good for planters include Blue Mouse Ears, Cracker Crumbs and Lemontini. One can use them in a rock garden display or as a boarder for a rock wall or sidewalk. Stileto or London Fog would be good choices here. Some hostas such as lemon lime or Venusta are fast growers and can even be used as ground covers. For those who have limited spaces one can plant a miniature bed or create a raised bed of mini and small hostas. Even a three or four foot square plot could hold ten or fifteen different varieties comfortably. To create height and depth within the miniature garden planting, one can use mini hostas in front and small hostas in the background of the bed.  As far as color choices, miniature hostas tend to have a similar color scheme as the larger varieties. Therefore, you can choose minis and smalls in yellow, blue or green and a large variety of variegated combinations of green, blue, yellow and white. At the Hosta Hideaway of York Springs we sell at least 50 different varieties of miniature and small hostas for your gardening needs.

Medium hostas are one of the best and most versatile plants for your garden. A medium hosta generally can be defined as having a clump height of between fifteen and twenty-two inches. Depending on the layout of your garden and the height of the other plants in the area, you can plant these hostas anywhere in the space without them either getting lost or taking over the space. Because of the vibrancy of the colors of varieties like ‘June or First Frost’, mediums can be a focal point for the garden. If you decide to plant hostas toward the front of the planting area, I would suggest using mediums as a border plant. If you like symmetry, you can plant a line of the same hostas such as ‘Patriot’ or do an alternating pattern of light and dark hostas such as ‘Blue Cadet’ and ‘August Moon’. Of course, just using the front of your planting bed to showcase the large variety of medium hostas can be very interesting.  Because some hostas have a significant amount of white and yellow, you can use these hostas to brighten an area. I would suggest ‘Fire and Ice’ or ‘Pineapple Upsidedown Cake’ to add some color and shape to the space. To soften an area, hostas such as ‘Sweet Home Chicago’ or ‘Teatime’ are nice mediums because of the more muted colors in the leaves. Medium hostas can also be used on both sides of a pathway through your garden or woods to define the thoroughfare. A clearly defined but meandering hosta path through the woods is a striking focal point. However, a sidewalk lined with medium hostas is equally nice.

You will continue to hear me talk about using hostas in containers and using medium sized hostas for containers is a great way to add interest to a space. Picking any of the tiara series such as ‘Golden Tiara’ or ‘Grand Tiara’ for a container on your deck will provide color to the area. Additionally, since hostas are somewhat drought resistant, you do not have to necessarily worry about watering the planter every day. If you use a more upright plant such as ‘Praying Hands’ in a planter, you can then add additional trailing and flowering plants around the base of the hosta. You will then have both a lasting hosta perennial to use as a foundation for the planter year after year and you can switch up the trailing plants each year depending on what color scheme you may want to create each season. I also find that using medium hostas in planters on each side of an entrance to a garden space creates a defined gateway to that particular garden. And of course, the color of the planter can add considerable interest in addition to the plantings you use. And remember that the Hosta Hideaway of York Springs sells at least a hundred varieties of medium hostas for your garden needs…

Large and giant hostas make the biggest statement in a garden. A large hosta generally is defined as having a clump height of between twenty-three to twenty-nine inches while giant hostas grow over thirty inches, and some can reach 48 inches high and the clump can reach over 6 feet in width. Most of the time a large or giant hosta is planted toward the back of a garden to create height and a back border to the garden space. However, larger hostas can make a major statement as a standalone plant. Most people who have a large or giant hosta in their garden most likely have a ‘Sum and Substance’ or ‘Blue Angel” hosta. ‘Sum and Substance’ is a giant light green hosta and it tends to do well in a brighter garden spot while ‘Blue Angel’ has large blue leaves and does well in more shady areas. If you are planting multiple large hostas along a back border we encourage also planting some variegated varieties such as ‘Pauls Glory’ or ‘Sagae’. Two giant hostas that are impressive specimens are ‘Empress Wu’ and ‘Victory’. The hosta ‘Empress Wu” is presently one of the largest cultivated hosta on the market and it can reach over four feet tall at maturity. The plant also has beautiful two foot deeply veined blue green leaves and the clump size can reach well over six feet in diameter. ‘Victory’ is a variegated variety that also has massive leaves at maturity and it is one of those plants that can be spotted from a distance in any garden. If you want the height of a large or giant hosta without the width then consider ‘Krossa Regal’, ‘Regal Splendor’ or ‘World Cup’. Both ‘Regal Splendor’ and ‘World Cup’ are “Hostas of the Year”. ‘World Cup’ has bright golden rippled and cupped leaves and has been a Hosta Hideaway favorite for a long time.

If you have two very large planting containers I think that planting a giant hosta in each container as the entrance to a garden or driveway can make a real statement. Longtime customers of the Hosta Hideaway planted a ‘Komodo Dragon’ in planters on each side of the driveway and they are real showcase plants as you enter their property. I oftentimes use large or giant hostas in elevated planters to give height to the garden or to create an impressive centerpiece to the planting space. The Hosta Hideaway of York Springs has a great selection of large and giant hostas including all of the hostas mentioned in this post for your garden needs.

Each year, The American Hosta Growers Association names a “Hosta of the Year”. The Hosta Hideaway generally carries all of the “Hostas of the Year” because they are interesting hostas that do well across many climates and conditions. Below is an updated list.

2022 – Hosta ‘Island Breeze”

2021 – Hosta ‘Rainbow’s End’

2020 – Hosta ‘Dancing Queen’

2019 – Hosta ‘Lakeside Paisley Print’
2018 – Hosta ‘World Cup’
2017 – Hosta ‘Brother Stefan’
2016 – Hosta ‘Curly Fries’
2015 – Hosta ‘Victory’
2014 – Hosta ‘Abiqua Drinking Gourd’
2013 – Hosta ‘Rainforest Sunrise’
2012 – Hosta ‘Liberty’
2011 – Hosta ‘Praying Hands’
2010 – First Frost
2009 – Hosta ‘Earth Angel’
2008 – Hosta ‘Blue Mouse Ears’
2007 – Hosta ‘Paradigm’
2006 – Hosta ‘Stained Glass’
2005 – Hosta ‘Striptease’
2004 – Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’
2003 – Hosta ‘Regal Splendor’
2002 – Hosta ‘Guacamole’
2001 – Hosta ‘June’
2000 – Hosta ‘Sagae’
1999 – Hosta ‘Paul’s Glory’
1998 – Hosta ‘Fragrant Bouquet’
1997 – Hosta ‘Patriot’

Hostas that produce fragrant flowers add another dimension to your part shade garden. These hostas have beautiful foliage, and they tend to produce attractive larger white to lavender fragrant flowers.   Fragrant hostas should be planted near a patio, deck or walk so their fragrance can be fully appreciated. There are several hostas with fragrant flowers to choose from at the Hosta Hideaway. There are times when we may add additional hostas to our selling areas, or we may run out of a specific variety for the season. You are welcome to contact us if you are looking for a specific fragrant flowering hosta.

Just in case you were wondering, many customers are looking for that “old time” green hosta that gets a large white fragrant flower?” They are referring to the hosta “Planteginea” or “August Lily”. These hostas are an excellent choice as a planting around a patio where you could enjoy their beauty and fragrance while having a morning cup of coffee because they are the most fragrant of these types of hostas. Or you can plant August Lily among variegated fragrant hostas with similar characteristics such as “Stained Glass”, “Etched Glass”, “Cathedral Windows” and “Guacamole” for an attractive grouping of plants. Although hostas are generally not known for their flowers, fragrant hostas actually produce beautiful flowers, and the bloom stays much closer to the leaves, which makes the flower even more appealing. Additionally, because the flowers are trumpet shaped, they attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Additionally, these hostas are generally more sun tolerant. Add a new dimension to your garden and plant fragrant flowering hostas so you can enjoy the beauty and aroma of these part shade plants. The following are a list of fragrant flowering hostas that we generally carry.

‘Avocado’, ‘Blue Flame’, ‘Cathedral Windows’, ‘Dark Shadows’, ‘Diana Remembered’, ‘Etched Glass’, ‘Fragrant Blue’, ‘Fragrant Bouquet’, ‘Fragrant Dream’, ‘Guacamole’, ‘Honeybells’, ‘Invincible’, ‘Irish Luck’, ‘Mojito’, ‘Plantaginea’, ‘Royal Standard’, ‘Royal Wedding’, ‘Secret Love’, ‘So Sweet’, ‘Stained Glass’, ‘Sugar and Spice’

Blue leafed hostas are an important aspect of a part shade garden because the color blue adds tranquility and serenity to garden spaces, and hostas are one of the few plants that are blue! Probably the three best known blue hostas are “Blue Angel”, a very large specimen that can be used toward the back of the garden, “Halcyon” a medium sized hosta that is one of the more blue colored hostas, and “”Blue Mouse Ears”, a cute small hosta excellent in a container, used as a border, or used as a feature in a miniature garden. Many people do not know that the blue coloring is actually a waxy coating on the leaf that can be impacted by exposure to heat, sun, or heavy rains. That is why your blue hostas do not look as blue later in the summer! Yes, we have “Blue Angel”, “Halcyon” and “Blue Mouse Ears” for sale along with a large number of other blue leafed hostas (look specifically for “Yankee Blue”, “Krossa Regal”, or “Abiqua Drinking Gourd” when you visit to see their unique features and how they can add interest to your garden). One particular blue hosta that I really like is “Fragrant Blue”, a smaller more smokey blue leafed hosta that gets a fragrant near white flower later in the summer (the fragrant flower is a bonus!). If you want to add more tranquility to your garden space, come for a visit to The Hosta Hideaway, and choose from a large selection of blue hostas for sale.

Hostas that grow more upright are a great addition to your gardens because they add height to your garden spaces, you can plant other hostas at the base to create a nice garden feature (including in a planter), or they would do well next to a fence or house. Recommended upright hostas include “Nigrescens”, “Regal Splendor”, “World Cup”, “Krossa Regal”, “Tom Schmid” and “Sagae”, and all can be found at The Hosta Hideaway.

 “White Feather” – The leaves on this unique hosta emerge white in the spring before transitioning to green midsummer. It is a great hosta to plant in a prominent place in your garden so that you can see the white leaves as they emerge in the spring.

“Rainbow’s End” – the Hosta of the Year for 2021. This unique small hosta has irregular variegated leaves and would be nice if used as a focal point in a rock garden or along a water feature in your garden.

“Abiqua Drinking Gourd” – This is an unusual large blue hosta because of its cupped and corrugated leaves. “Abiqua Drinking Gourd” is a nice stand-alone hosta or it would look nice with a contrasting yellow hosta like “World Cup” or “Coast to Coast”. Add a third hosta that is variegated and has both blue and yellow leaves like “Paul’s Glory” as a transition plant to create a nice garden feature.

s “World Cup” – This giant upright hosta provides brightness to your garden and is a great hosta as a border. You can also plant medium hostas at the base of “World Cup” to create a nice garden feature.

“Paul’s Glory” – a 1999 Hosta of the Year award winner! This versatile large variegated hosta brightens any area and can be paired with other blue, green or chartreuse hostas! One of our favorite hostas to use in a garden.

“So Sweet” – a nice variegated medium fragrant flowering hosta that is often overlooked because of the beauty of other fragrant hostas such as “Stained Glass” and “Etched Glass”, and the popularity of green and white hostas such as “Patriot” and “Francee”. However, “So Sweet” has creamy yellow to white edges and is an excellent border plant. As with the other fragrant flowering hostas, “So Sweet” is also sun tolerant and is a nice perimeter plant for the part shade garden.

“Waterslide” – This medium blue hosta has wavy elongated leaves and forms a nice uniform cascading mound. The beautiful lavender flowers are proportionate to the plant which adds to the attractiveness. This is a very popular hosta.

“Island Breeze” – a hosta of the year 2022. This small variegated hosta with red petioles is an excellent choice for containers, a border or elevated on a wall.

“June Spirit” – a sport of “June Fever” (“June Fever” is a sport of “June” for those who are making these connections). This stunning medium shiny leafed variegated hosta with chartreuse centers and wider dark green margins is a great choice for your gardens. We have it placed as a background plant in our medium and small walled garden and it draws quite a bit of attention. It would also make a nice container plant.

“Empress Wu”, “Wu-La-La” and “Gabriel’s Wing”. These three giant hostas can grow up to 4 feet tall and over 6 feet wide. “Wu-La-La” and “Gabriel’s Wing” are sports of “Empress Wu” but are nicely variegated. Giant hostas create an excellent backdrop in a garden, are a nice screen to “hide” something, or are a unique stand-alone feature. Additionally, just a few giant hostas can cover a large planting area.

“Aquamarine” – This sometimes-overlooked small hosta has beautiful purplish tinted leaves in the spring and gorgeous purple flowers in the late summer! It is an excellent hosta for your miniature and small hosta garden, in a planter, or planted on a border with other interesting small hostas such as “Island Breeze” and “Fire Island” to create a colorful border.

“Sun Mouse” – This beautiful miniature chartreuse hosta is an excellent choice for containers, planted with other mouse series hostas, or grouped in threes with “Mighty Mouse” and “Blue Mouse Ears” along a border.

Have you ever discovered a hosta in your garden that you did not plant? It is most likely a hosta seedling, a hosta that came up in your garden from a seed produced by another hosta. Each hosta flower can produce a seed pod, but that does not mean that the seeds will automatically grow into the hosta you have planted in your garden. According to information in the Hostapedia by Mark Zilis, the hosta flowers are often pollinated by bees that have visited other hostas in your garden, and therefore the seeds generally do not produce a hosta true to the mother plant. Instead of just collecting the seeds from randomly pollinated flowers, many hosta hybridizers intentionally cross breed hostas to develop interesting or unique traits. Know that if you collect hosta seeds, according to Mark Zilis, fertility in hostas is not consistent and there are varieties where the pod is sterile. Additionally, our experience is that most Seedlings are solid green or blue. But do not be discouraged, seedlings can add interest and variety to your hosta collection. And maybe you will end up with a unique variety.

“The importance of the hosta garden”

One only needs to take the time to see the beauty and complexity of the hosta garden, from the microscopic organisms that are needed to break down plant material to enrich the soil, to the flowers and trees that grow out of the ground, and are sustained by the rains and sun, to begin to understand its importance and beauty. Think about how the flowers produce nectar and how they develop seeds that feed the bees, birds, and other animals. And know that these animals are necessary for pollination so that the flowers can produce the nectar and seeds for food, and so that the seeds can reproduce more plants. And if you really think about it, the process is simply amazing. This immense complexity that books and books are written about and only scratch the surface of how the life of the garden works, has gone on since the beginning of time in unity and balance, being sustained in the same way yesterday and today. And to think that you can observe all of these amazing processes that sustain nature and demonstrate the wonder of creation in the hosta garden.

And as I am writing down these thoughts, I reminisce about a walk in the garden over the summer where I took time to see and photograph all the different insects that visited our garden in the one hour of that late afternoon. As I walked around the garden the artistry of nature caused me to pause as each creature that I observed had a uniqueness, purpose and beauty that I would not have experienced outside of the garden. And then as I sat and went through the photographs that I took, I saw even more clearly the intricate designs and varied colors of the butterfly wing, or the different aspects of the fuzzy bumblebee with paper thin wings, covered in yellow pollen doing its job, regardless of my presence. And it made me ponder the complexity and design in even the simplest of creatures.

But then, I begin to ponder about how much more a hosta garden is than the sights of the leaves, flowers and butterflies, as the garden is an alure to all of my senses. I listen to the cardinals chirping in the wisteria vine, or I hear the buzz of the hummingbird as it leaves the trumpet shaped flowers of the honeysuckle and zooms nearby. And I think about the sound of thunder and the welcome prospect of rain falling in the garden on a hot summer day, and I am thankful for the sustaining life of the garden. But there is even so much more, as I often take for granted other aspects of the hosta garden’s beauty that impact different senses such as the aroma of the fragrant flower of ‘Guacamole’, or even just the simple smell of the fresh air. And of course, in the hosta garden you can sense the coolness of the shade that is created by the overhead oak trees, or you can feel the smoothness of the leaves of ‘Stained Glass’ or the corrugation of the leaf on ‘World Cup’. And then I think of the pleasantness of the touch of my wife’s hand as we sit and share with each other the quietness of the garden and the photos we have taken of the wonders of our hosta garden. And I notice how she is so much more capable to capture the subtle differences of so many butterflies!

And then I look around and see beyond the boundaries of the garden, and I spot the buzzards that sometimes roost in nearby trees as they are soaring in the wind high in the sky, or I think back to the two bald eagles that perched in the treetop right beyond the corner of the garden. And as I gaze to the east, I remember many mornings pondering the day’s work in the garden and seeing countless shades of pink, purple and red paint the sky as the sun rises over the horizon. But I also think about the elegance and peace of the sunset after a busy day working in the garden. And even as night falls, I can remember as a child and growing up on a small farm and being able to look up into the night sky and see the stars, and be amazed at the expanse of the universe. But even now, as we come and go from the garden in darkness I still gaze into the sky in amazement, or I enjoy watching the orange colored moon pop up over the distant hillside. For I am thankful how the garden is encircled by the natural gardens of woods and fields and mountains. Oh, how exquisite and grand is the hosta garden.  

Yes, there is so much more to experience in the hosta garden, way too much to write about in one sitting. For the hosta garden is a place to ponder life and to seek restoration. That is why a hosta garden needs many seating areas throughout the landscape, and it is why we continually seek places to add benches each season. For there is great enjoyment sitting in the garden and reflecting, or in working in the garden and seeing the fruits of one’s labor at the end of the day. But the work in the hosta garden goes beyond trying to beautify an area through digging holes for new varieties or by building a stone wall, as it also involves removing plants that have died, just like this fall where we needed to remove a large locust tree that towered over the hostas. This aspect of the garden helps me to realize that the garden goes through seasons, and that part of the life cycle of a garden also involves change and sometimes even death. But the pondering and reflection brings comfort because the One who created the garden has everything under control. And it is reassuring to know that God’s great power over life itself, displayed in creation and in the hosta garden, never fails, for “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever” (Isaiah 40:8, NIV).

Please feel free to share your memories in your hosta garden as we patiently wait for spring and new memories in the hosta garden. Like and follow The Hosta Hideaway on Facebook.

Are Hostas Edible?

This article was inspired by Dee from Lebanon. PA who encouraged me to write about hostas being edible. So, although here at The Hosta Hideaway Nursery and Gardens of York Springs, PA we specialize in selling over 400 varieties of hostas to beautify your gardens, and not necessarily to eat them, we thought this could be an interesting read for our customer friends. However, before I start, I need to note that this article is intended for informational purposes only because at this point, we have never tried to eat hostas. Interestingly, Dee stated that she “actually tried some (hostas) on the grill” and that “They had a very unique flavor”. She went on to note that they marinated them in Greek dressing then grilled them”.  She said “They were good, tasting like a cross between asparagus and a mild spring onion” and that “They’d be great buttered and quick seared in a pan too” Her recommendation is to harvest them early in the season and to not overcook them because “the slight crunch and layered leaves play into the delicacy of their flavor”.

Here is the general scoop. Yes, hostas are edible, but there are a few things to consider before foraging through your hosta garden. According to progardentips.com, “hostas have been eaten by people in Asian countries for generations without them suffering ill effects. However, there are some minor cautions in that eating large amounts could cause a gastric upset, with diarrhea and stomach cramping being the major symptoms”. And “New young shoots are most commonly eaten as they are tender and less bitter than the larger older leaves” (progardentips.com). Additionally, according to plantaddicts.com, “Although hostas are safe for people to eat, it is important to think about where your hostas have grown before you use it” especially if you have used fertilizers or pesticides.

Thank you Dee for giving us more things to like about hostas, in addition to hostas being one of the most loved and versatile plants in your garden.  So, if you are adventurous this spring and want to experiment with a meal involving hostas, check out the Forager Chef at https://foragerchef.com/eating-hosta-shoots/ for there you can find recipes such as “Pan Seared Hosta Shoots with Ramp Butter, Hosta Kimchi and Marinated Hosta Shoots. Enjoy!

And if you are planning for more hostas and other décor for your gardens, come for a visit!

Adding variety to your Hosta gardens.

Even though you cannot go wrong with a garden full of hostas since they are one of the most popular perennials, there are many complementary plants you may consider adding to your garden in addition to hostas, to add interest and creativity to your landscape. And you can find many of the following perennials at the Hosta Hideaway Nursery and Gardens of York Springs to assist in adding interest and color to your hosta garden. Here are fifteen suggestions:

Aralia cordata (Japanese Spikenard): This is an excellent complement to hostas, growing up to 3’ and having bright gold leaves with contrasting reddish brown stems. It produces small white flowers that are attractive to pollinators.

Astilbe: Astilbes provide a dramatic display of feathery spiked flowers in white, pink, red, lavender or violet in midsummer, they attract butterflies, and astilbe are eye catching when planted alongside smaller and medium sized hostas.

Bergenia (Pigsqueak): Bergenia produce pretty pink flowers early in the season atop clumps of large shiny leaves. Additionally, the leaves can take on appealing red and purple tones in the fall, and their flowers will attract hummingbirds along with the hostas. Both the flowers and the leaves will enhance the hosta garden.

Brunnera (false forget-me-not): Brunneras are classic perennials that are treasured for their shade tolerance and lovely blooms that attract butterflies. They grow 14” to 16” tall and make a nice groundcover between the hostas. The most popular variety is called ‘Jack Frost’ and has attractive frosty colored leaves.

Aquilegia (Columbine):  Columbine produces small beautiful spring flowers in an array of colors, and attract hummingbirds and other pollinators. The seeds also entice small birds such as finches and buntings. Columbine will add height planted among small and medium hostas.

Ferns: These perennials are a classic addition to the woodland hosta garden. They can fill in spaces between the hostas and there are a large variety to choose from, including Autumn Fern, Japanese Painted Fern, Lady in Red, and Victoriae Fern.

Hakonechloa grass (Japanese Forest Grass): This ornamental grass will do well in part shade, and it produces a wispy and graceful mound of thin yellow or striped foliage. It is a nice border plant and it adds brightness and movement to the hosta garden

Heuchera (Coral Bells): Heuchera leaf colors come in a wide variety of colors including green, chartreuse, yellow, peach, copper, red and purple, and their flowers are great butterfly attractors. They have a low mounding habit and their leaves and flowers add color to garden pathways or planted right in the hosta garden.  

Ligularia: These perennials have interestingly shaped leaves that contrast nicely with hosta leaves, and they produce clusters of butterfly-attracting, tall yellow blooms late in the season. Ligularia do require damp soil with good drainage, and some level of protection from the hot afternoon sun.

Martagon Lily (Turk’s Cap): Martagon Lilies produce 2-4” attractive yellow, pink, lavender, orange, or deep red flowers in mid-summer, and reach 3 to 6’ tall, making them a striking contrast when planted alongside larger hostas.

Polemonium (Jacob’s Ladder): This is an easy-to-grow perennial that looks great toward the middle to front of the hosta garden, and it blooms blue/lavender flowers in the spring.

Polygonatum (Solomon’s Seal): Solomon’s Seal, once established it is a natural plant for the hosta garden, and its arching 18-24” arching stems with bell-like flowers are very attractive emerging through the hosta leaves.

Pulmonaria (Lungwort): Pulmonaria usually grow no more than 6-10″ tall, have interesting silver spots on the leaves, and flower either pink, violet, or blue early spring. This is another great border plant for the hosta garden.

Spigelia (Indian Pinks): Spigelia is a native perennial that produces abundant red and yellow flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. A planting of Indian Pinks with their red and yellow flowers in the hosta garden is always an attractive sight.

Tricyrtis (Toad Lily): Toad Lilies are shade loving, long-lived and easy to grow, and they produce beautiful small orchid-like flowers in the spring, adding beauty to the hosta garden.

So consider making a trip to The Hosta Hideaway Nursery and Gardens of York Springs, Pa ing to check out our hundreds of varieties of hostas for sale, alongside a choice selection of other perennials, statuary and garden art.  You can also check out our website at thehostahideaway.com and like and follow us on Facebook for updates. Come for a visit!