Daylilies are versatile plants that look great when paired with a variety of other plants. Some great companion options for daylilies include Shasta daisies, coneflowers, and ornamental grasses such as little bluestem and feather reedgrass.
These plants have similar requirements and will look great when planted in groups with the daylilies. Hostas are also a great option and can be planted in the same area as daylilies because they have different seasons of interest.
Hostas bring a dazzling detail to partial and full shade landscapes, and their unique foliage complements daylily’s tall, vibrant blooms. The annual salvia is an excellent addition to a daylily garden, adding visual contrast with its delicate foliage and vibrant colors.
The flowers of salvia come in shades of pink, blue, and purple and add a wonderful texture that pairs perfectly with the texture of daylily blooms.
What grows well next to hostas?
Hostas are tolerant of many companion plants and trees, so there is no shortage of options when deciding what grows well next to them. Consider flowers such as peonies, astilbes, dahlias, and daylilies, which all come in a variety of colors and can add interest and contrast to a garden bed.
Ferns, lamium, and coral bells can also be good neighbors to hostas, and their low-growing foliage can help to provide extra ground cover. Shrubs that are suitable for planting next to hostas include boxwood, hydrangea, rhododendron, and spirea, offering complimentary color and texture to the landscape.
Dwarf conifers and evergreens are an excellent addition, helping to provide year-round interest and color. Bushier specimens such as barberry, forsythia, and ninebark can create a nice backdrop for hostas and make a great foil for their foliage.
More unexpected examples include cabbage, ornamental grasses, and ground covers like bee balm. Fortunately, with such a wide variety of plants to choose from, it just takes some experimentation to find the perfect combination.
Where should you not plant hostas?
Hostas are hardy plants that thrive in USDA Hardiness zones 3-9, but they should not be planted in areas that are prone to extremely high winds or heavy, clay-like soils. Planting in full sun can also be detrimental to the health of these shade-loving plants.
In areas with extremely hot summers, like the southwest United States, hostas should be planted in shaded or partially shaded areas. Additionally, avoid planting hostas in standing water or waterlogged areas as this encourages fungal growth and rots the roots.
How many hostas can you plant together?
The amount of hostas that can be planted together largely depends on the size of the plant and the size of the garden bed. If you are planting several hostas together in a large area, the general rule of thumb is that you should leave at least 4-5 inches between each center of the hosta plants.
If you are planting hostas in a smaller area such as in a container, you can plant them as close as 1-2 inches apart. If you are selecting a variety of hostas to grow together, ensure they are all the same size or none of the plants will reach their full potential.
Additionally, it is important to fertilize your hostas once a year in the springtime for good health and growth.
Should you put mulch around hostas?
Yes, you should put mulch around hostas. Mulch can help protect hostas from extreme temperatures and provides a layer of insulation. Additionally, it can also help conserve moisture in the soil—which is especially important for the shallow roots of hostas.
Furthermore, mulch can help to keep weeds down, so your hostas can have room to grow without competing with other plants. Depending on the type of mulch you choose (gravel, wood chips, etc. ), you may also be able to achieve a look of more visual appeal around your hostas.
What do hostas look good with?
Hostas look great when planted in combination with other shade-loving plants, like astilbes, ferns, heucheras, impatienses, hellebores, and black-eyed Susans. That way, you’ll get contrasting foliage textures and leaf colors all season long.
You can also layer in colorful annuals and perennials for a more dynamic look. For example, coral bells can provide some vibrant color, while monkshood adds some deep purple and blue hues. Finally, you can use groundcovers and grasses, like liriope and sedge, to help carry your plantings over the whole garden.
Overall, with the right combination, hostas can provide an eye-catching and low-maintenance backdrop for your garden.
Can you plant other flowers with hostas?
Yes, you can plant other flowers with hostas. Hostas are very versatile, and do well in the shade and with other low watering, low maintenance flowers. Some popular flowers to pair them with are ferns, astilbes, and hellebores.
Hostas also pair very nicely with daylilies, peonies, columbines, and bellflowers. For a unique look, pair them with heuchera, lamium, and ornamental grasses. Make sure that any flowers you choose to accompany the hostas have similar needs, as hostas prefer shade and moist soil.
Planting them in combination with other flowers can add color and texture to your garden and help create a unique look.
What annuals can you plant with hostas?
You can plant a lot of different annuals with hostas. Some options to consider include petunias, red salvia, verbena, geraniums, impatiens, coleus, caladiums, begonias, dusty miller, alyssum, lobelia, and marigolds.
These annuals will provide a bright splash of color to your garden, and they will look great when planted near the foliage of the hostas. Many of these annuals will also help attract butterflies to your garden.
Alternatively, you can try mixing and matching different hosta varieties to create a colorful, eye-catching effect. Regardless of your approach, hosta plants work well with many annuals, so have fun and experiment with different options to create a unique garden.
Are hostas better in pots or ground?
Both hostas and other ornamental plants can do well in either pots or the ground, so it ultimately depends on your individual needs, preferences, and overall garden design.
For instance, if you prefer a moveable garden and want the flexibility of moving plants around, growing hostas in containers may be the best option. If the hostas will be sheltered under trees, then pots may also be the best solution so that soil won’t become too acidic and damage the roots of the plants.
Additionally, potting mix can also be amended if needed and containers keep the root systems of plants nicely contained.
If you’re looking for a more permanent planting, then in-ground hostas are ideal for larger expanses and will become an important and beautiful part of your garden layout. In the ground, hostas can establish extensive roots systems and spread out much farther than those of plants in pots.
Also, the plant’s natural rhizomes can be divided and propagated with ease when planted in the ground, allowing you to spread them around or share with family and friends.
Whether you choose to position your hostas in pots or in the ground, remember that these plants grow best with plenty of sunlight (4–6 hours daily depending on the variety) and in well-amended soil with good drainage.
Should I deadhead hostas?
Yes, deadheading hostas can help them stay healthy and vibrant. Deadheading is the process of removing spent blooms, faded leaves, and seed heads. This helps to keep them looking nice and encourage more blooms.
It also helps them stay healthy by allowing more air and sunlight to reach the base of the plant, aiding in the circulation of air and moisture needed for the plant to stay healthy. Deadheading also helps to prevent the spread of disease or pests.
To deadhead, you can either prune the stem at the base of the bloom or simply pinch it off by hand. It’s important to use sharp, sterilized pruning shears or to wear gloves when removing the spent blooms to avoid transmitting any infections to the hosta.
Afterwards, it’s smart to discard the blooms or seed heads in the trash to prevent the spread of disease or pests. Creating and following a regular deadheading schedule can help keep your hostas looking their best andenable them to thrive.
Do hostas do well in containers?
Yes, hostas can do well in containers. Hostas are a preferred choice for container gardens due to their attractive foliage and easy-to-care-for nature. Hosta plants are low-maintenance and can thrive in both sunny and shaded areas.
When planting hostas in containers, it is important to make sure the container is large enough with plenty of drainage holes to allow the soil to drain completely. It is also important to use a specific container mix because regular potting soil does not provide enough nutrients for hostas.
Be sure to water the plant frequently and fertilize it with a water-soluble fertilizer on a regular basis. As hostas can stay in the same containers for several years. Lastly, remember to remulch the top of the pot after planting and periodically during the season.
Will hostas survive winter in pots?
Yes, hostas can survive winter in pots. To ensure the best chance for survival through winter, a few steps need to be taken. Hostas need to be potted in a large, well-draining container and placed in a location that gets partial sun/shade.
The potting soil should also be amended with compost to ensure adequate nutrients are available for the root system. Lastly, the pot should be covered with a protective layer of mulch over the top of the soil, to help retain moisture, add an extra layer of insulation, and protect the hostas roots.
If temperatures are expected to drop significantly, it is best to move the pot indoors or provide extra insulation such as bubble wrap or burlap around the pot.
How long can hostas survive out of the ground?
Hostas are very hardy perennial plants and can survive out of the ground for several months under the right conditions. Generally, they can survive out of the ground for up to three months if they are kept moist, in an area where temperatures are not too high, and out of direct sunlight.
This makes them an ideal plant for those who may want to start seedlings indoors early in the season, as the seedlings can be easily transplanted outside when the weather is more accommodating. If a hosta must remain out of the ground for a longer period, it is possible to keep them alive by carefully monitoring their environment.
This includes making sure the plants’ soil remains moist and that the temperature of the area is not too high. It is also possible to replant hostas if they have been out of the ground for an extended time.
Overall, hostas can survive out of the ground for several months if the right environment is provided.
Do hostas need deep pots?
No, hostas do not need deep pots; however, pots with deep sides can be beneficial if you are looking for a larger root system and a larger overall plant. A general rule of thumb is: the deeper the pot, the more soil it can hold, the more room the roots have to grow, and the bigger the size of the hosta can be.
It is important to note that this does not mean that hostas need deep pots to thrive. Often hostas do just as well in shorter, wider pots that allow for better air flow and drain more quickly. When choosing a pot, consider the climate and type of soil where you live.
In climates with heavy clay soil, a deep pot can be beneficial as it can help reduce problems with compaction and poor drainage. In humid regions, deeper pots can increase the rate at which water evaporates, reducing the amount of moisture kept in the soil and reducing the risk of disease.
Ultimately, if you are looking for larger plants, deeper pots will certainly help, but many hostas will thrive in shallower pots as well.