Tranquility is represented in these gardens below. The website www.elook.com best describes tranquility. ”It is a state of peace and quiet ” or how I view it as place to reflect or be alone or relax. there is nothing better for me but to sit and absorbs natures best with a good book. Away from the sun and stresses of the world. My favorite shade/part sun perennial are Hostas. It is said that they are over 6,000 hosta varieties. Hostas orginally came from Japan, China, and Korea. They were introduced to Europe in the late 1700′s and to the United States in the mid 1800′s. Hostas are grown for their beautiful foilage. They grow best in shady locations are these herbaceous perennials are extremely popular and are very cold hardy. Hosta leaves vary in height, color and sizes. Their leaves display various colors from very white to very dark greens, blues and golds. Hostas offer solid colored leaves or a variety of varigated patterns.
In the winter, hostas wither away as do most perennials, but return in the spring bigger and better each year. Hostas grow best with mulch around their roots to retain moisture and insulate them from the cold winters. I have on occasion, left hosta roots barely out of the ground before winter set in and the cold hard winter did not affect them. it is in the best interest of the Hostas to leave them in the soil. Every 3-4 years these hosta can be divided many times and added to your new gardens around the yard. An enemy #1 is snails and slugs. They eat the leaves and leave holes all over the plant. www.plantea.com/slug-baits-coffee.htm offers many suggestions for controlling the pesky little critters. I have tried many and many work. Something I learned many years ago when using mulch is never never use hay. I found that hay not only provides a great grass crop but also invites snails and slugs. There are many discussions chemical versions of controlling slugs, but I tend to choose more of a natural method. Another site that is helpful is www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/…/pn7427.html, this site offers a bit more details for avid gardeners into research.
When growing hostas they generally love shade with just a few hours of sunlight each day. I have found that deep dark shade works for some hostas but not all. Green and gold hostas generally tolerate more sun, blues require more shade. Hostas are hardy and do well in zones 3-10. The cooler the climate the better they do. As with all perennials, they need fertile soil and ample moisture.
Hosta need room to grow. I often interplant hostas with other shade perennials like ligularias, astilbes, and a host of colorful shade annuals such as impatients and begonias. There are many ways to integrate hostas in your gardens and around your house. As they mature and expand, you will have hostas for year to come for not only one garden but many gardens.
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