I have clay soil -- so what I have to do is dig hole about the size you would for a big potted plant, then fill hole with miracle grow potting soil, then make little hole in the middle for my little liner, then stick liner in,,,, and water!! ta da!!
Now I have stuck them directly in the clay soil and said good luck!
If the leaves all fall off, I do what Pam suggested -- dig it up, see if the crown is still there, raise it up a bit and call it good!!!
The other thing I have to be aware of is the mulch -- I have to make sure the mulch is away from the base of the hosta.
Hope this helps!
