I have a row of hosta under a hemlock tree. Every spring I pot up the self sown babies to disperse them elsewhere. I use the hosta as a nursery until I can plant the babies elsewhere.


I do so like the foliage contrast!

Agreed regarding contrast. I'm partial to the large solid blues but but lighter, variegated varieties only add to the show...

Just wondering if you get seedlings under them do you only have soil and no mulch? I never get babies I love the contrast of hosta leaves and I also have an area I call my plant hospital for potted up babies or struggling plants to get more attention.

@bluegrassmom,

Do you let your flowers bloom and leave the flower scapes alone to form seeds? I don't cut mine back and I have seedlings everywhere! I let them grow for a couple of years to see if there's anything interesting,. I have pine needles for mulch, and they manage to take root without any problem.

I do let some of them bloom, but for the most part I trim them. No seedlings that way of course I have been using a leaf mulch, so the area should be ok.

Cayuga, I am with you.....I love, love, love foliage. I always say flowers are fleeting foliage is forever.

Teresa if you have leaf mulch you should have a jungle of babies. That leaf mold is awesome for hostas usually not good for slug control but leaf mold is good for hostas. I keep my slug problem away by sprinkling coffee every Spring and I never have one bite.

I need to pick up some grounds at Dunkin Donuts. I guess I need to let mine be fertile. Thanks for letting me know?

I was at a local Starbucks in Madison, WI and they had bags sitting in a basket.... Free for your garden.

regarding seedlings... I have gotten a few over the years, and 3 of them [same parentage] have gotten huge.
I moved this one from IL to WI last year. I should have 2 more in IL still -- maybe this weekend i'll bring them north too.