Different Types of Hostas
Hostas are a type of garden plant native to Asia, and there are many different varieties to choose from when you decide to grow hostas. There are about forty five different varieties of hosta which range in size, color, and growing conditions. Hostas are perennial plants, meaning they have a lifespan of more than two years. Hostas are popular garden plants because they have a reputation for growing well in the shade and in many different soil varieties. Hostas are generally characterized by broad, oval leaves that are usually green with yellow accents. Some varieties of hosta have gold or white leaves. These varieties are more highly prized because of their unique colors. The broad leaves make hostas a popular ground cover plant that can fill a large empty space. They are often planted underneath trees to fill the empty space surrounding the tree trunk. Hostas are edible and are commonly used in Japanese cuisine. The leaves, shoots and flowers can all be eaten, but younger plants have a reputation for tasting better than older plants. Hostas are a source of food for animals such as deer and certain slugs or snails. Deer in particular can cause extensive damage to hosta plants. Deer will eat the leaves of the plant, leaving nothing but the shoots.
Choosing a variety of hosta for your garden can be difficult because of the sheer number of species available. Hostas vary in size, color and even fragrance so it’s important to do research to decide which variety will look and grow best in your garden.
One of the most popular hosta varieties is the Hosta Fortunei. Characterized by its large oval leaves, the Hosta Fortunei is an excellent complement to any garden. The large leaves are green with white edges, which allows them to stand out from the other plants in a garden. In the early summer, the Hosta Fortunei grows white or lavender flowers which can add a burst of color to a bland garden. The flowers will usually wilt by late summer so you should remove them to increase the plant’s visual appeal.
Another common variety of hosta is the Blue Angel. Blue Angel Hostas are named for the bluish green color of their leaves. Blue Angel Hostas grow well in many different soil varieties and they flourish without much sun. The plant grows medium sized white flowers during the summer which add to its visual appeal. Blue Angel Hostas are also more resistant to slug and snail damage because of the waxy coating on the leaves.
Other types of hosta include the August Moon, Pandora’s Box, and Plantaginea Hostas. August Moon hostas feature large leaves which require a lot of sunlight to grow. Pandora’s Box hostas are miniature in size and are often potted and grown indoors. Plantaginea hostas are varieties of the plant which emit a fragrance from the leaves and flowers. Plantaginea hostas are less likely to be eaten by deer because of their smell.
