Perennials – Hosta

• Hosta 

Botanical name: Asparagus ‘Hosta’

Beginner friendly?: yes

Average size at maturity: 1-2 ft in height and 3 ft in width 

Bloom time:  summer 

Hardy zone: zones 4-9 

Flower color: white/purple

Foliage color: green/yellow/white 

Growth rate: reaches full maturity after about 3 growing seasons 

Pruning instructions: cut back wilted foliage in the late fall

Propagation methods: cut a stem just below a node and place in water until roots start to emerge

Landscape use: adds flowers to a shade garden 

Light needs: about 3 hours of sun a day 

Special features: very low maintenance

Watering instructions:  allow soil to partially dry between watering sessions

Fertilizing instructions :  use 10-10-10 liquid fertilizer in the mid-late summer

Best time to plant: spring 

Best type of soil: loam or clay 

Companion plants: loropetalums, ferns, astilbe 

Toxicity level: mildly toxic for humans and pets if ingested

Invasive species: no