Hostas Second Time Around



I tried growing some hostas many years ago and gave up after one season because the slugs nibbled them to shreds.  However, a couple of years ago I had the idea of putting some hostas in pots, in the semi-shaded areas of the garden, although I now understand that they also do well in full sun too.  All I had to do was solve the slug problem and I would have plants which would add attractive, textural interest in different shades of green. 

Doc was sceptical because we have agreed to avoid having lots of pots and hanging baskets.  They are lovely to look at but they have to be watered and in any case, slugs can climb.  However, I thought that if I planted perennials, rather than bedding plants, in water retentive soil-like compost, then the containers would not be too labour intensive.  I had also seen copper tape advertised and there was a pile of rough, small stones behind the shed which would be perfect to make those slimy tummies uncomfortable.  I felt that if I used containers, I had a much better chance of deterring slugs and we would have some interesting groups of pots as focal points around the garden.

I used a variety of pots and placed plastic pots inside them, with about half an inch difference in size.  This does add to the expense but for terracotta pots using an inner pot as a liner reduces water evaporation and it is practical in a large garden because moving a heavy ceramic pot filled with a plant and compost, up or down a hill is a challenge.  If a plant dies, then all I need to do is life the plastic pot out and leave the decorative pot in position.
I put some crocks and stones in the base of each plastic pot, planted a hosta in a peat-free loam-type, water-retentive compost and stuck copper tape around the outside rim of the plastic pot.  Then I covered the surface of each pot with a good layer of small stones.

The results were amazingly successful, so much so I have added to my collection of hostas this year and in a few years time, when the plants are large, I can split the clumps to invigorate them and give some new plants to give away to friends and family.  The flowers are insignificant and are white or mauve, but who cares about them when the leaves are so shapely?

I think hostas are at their most beautiful when the young, new growth emerges in the spring.  Tiny cigar-shaped shoots emerge through the gravel and slowly unfurl into luscious, almost corrugated foliage.  There are over 70 varieties to keep hosta addicts satisfied with every shade of green imaginable, as well as acid-yellow, variegated varieties and my favourite, the ones which have almost blue leaves. They look gorgeous after rain, when dappled sunshine reflects off the water droplets and intensifies the green colour.

As for slugs, so far I have had no problems - touch wood.  I inspected the pots last week and although there was a slug in the base of one of the outer pots, the hosta, tucked up in the plastic pot, was was perfect.  I water them now and again, more often for those pots in sunshine, but this is not an onerous task and this leaves me more time to appreciate these lovely plants.