I would love to grow some hostas, but every time I've tried they have either succumbed to the heat or been eaten by snails and slugs.
I recently saw an article that said there were some varieties that are resistant to s&s, and wondered if that's true? Sum and Substance was one mentioned specifically.

I'm an almost-organic gardener and use Sluggo but I'd rather not. I have some nice shade areas that I think would look great with hosta, but I don't want to spend the money for more disappointments!

Suggestions, please?

Janet, what hort zone are you? Usually the thicker leaved hostas will withstand slugs better than the thinner more tasty leaves. Remember, hostas need a cold dormant period for them to thrive. You don't have to have Iowa or Minnesota cold for a hosta, but you can't have Florida winters either.

Hi Janet -- I agree with Diann. I you look at the Hosta web site you will see that characteristic defined -- it will say "Slug Resistant". Also you may want to get those that like the sun or do well in the sun -- not that you have to plant them in the sun but since you are in CA you will have more heat than us guys in MN and IA.

Also like Diann says -- then need a blast of cooler weather for them to go dormant and thrive!!

Let us know if you need anything else!!

I'm in USDA 9---temps occasionally down as low as 18 in the winter, but consistently in the mid-20s and occasionally as hot as 112 in the summer, but consistently many days in the high 90s to low 100s.
What hosta website, please???

Check out the Hosta Library: http://www.hostalibrary.org/

And the American Hosta Association: http://www.americanhostasociet...

You will find a lot of good information on both of those sites. You might want to join the AHS. I didn't see a local hosta society in California.

Diann

Thank you! Lots to look at.....

I was just in Clearwater, Florida. Not a hosta in site anywhere. They are in zone 9 also. Too hot. but then again, you can have so many plants that we must overwinter in our houses in colder zone 6 winters.
Stush

I have sieboldiana Elegans and I don't have any problems with slugs on them. They are in shade and so far have not experinced leaf burn with them. Being in CA, I probably can not ship you a plant, but I could possibly mail you some seeds, although it is a very slow growing plant.

Potomac Pride is another one I have that doesn't have problems with slugs or heat, but again it is in the shade. There are lots of oak and hickory nut trees that they grow under.

Good luck.