When talking about Hostas its good to know some terminology that you may only hear in reference to these amazing landscaping plants. Scapes is a term that refers to the flower stalk of the hosta. This emerges from the crown or roots of a plant and is usually leafless, as it carries the flowers themselves high above the foliage. Another term you hear in reference to Hostas is a sport, which is a natural mutation of a given varietal that gives rise to another named varietal. About half of the Hostas on the market are 'sports' of older standard varieties.
Hosta 'Fire Island' is a beacon in the garden with screaming yellow leaves with rippled margins. The unique red coloration of the petioles (leaf stems) extends into the base of the leaves for a wonderful contrast. In the summer, the foliage darkens to chartreuse. Hosta 'Fire Island' is a vigorous grower that shows best in full shade.
| Plant Types: | Perennial |
| Light: | Shade to Partial Sun |
| Height: | 10 inches to 1 foot 2 inches |
| Width: | 1 foot 6 inches to 1 foot 8 inches |
| Zones: | 3a to 9b |
| Bloom Color: | Purple |
| Bloom Seasons: | Mid summer |
| Leaf Color: | Yellow |
| Special Features: | Attractive foliage |
| Shape: | Mounded |
| Fertilizer: | Composted Yard Trimmings, Miracle-Gro® Shake 'n Feed® Continuous Release All Purpose Plant Food |
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When the buds first appear, divide the clumps.
The great debate on Hostas is how much sun is good for them. It all depends on which varietal you have. For brighter yellow and green hostas the more sun (not afternoon sun though!), the better these colors stand out. For the darker blue and gray colored Hostas the more shade they get the more pronounced these colors become. But don't over do it! These are definitely a shade loving plant!
Flowers in the summer with blue or white trumpet shaped flowers that will last for several weeks. Plantain Lilies are primarily grown for their unique foliage, however.
Hostas prefer cool, humus-rich, well-drained soil. Water and feed during the growing season.
Use a slow release fertilizer after the first growth.
After blooming, remove flower stalks to promote leaf growth instead of seeding. After the plants die back in fall, remove dead leaves to control diseases and prevent slug infestation.
Besides the threat of snails and slugs Hostas have only just recently been victim of a new attacking virus. Since it can take years to show up by symptoms, experts have predicted that the virus (Hosta Virus X) is potentially so wide spread (all the distribution of plants and plant material), that there may not be any virus clean nurseries or wholesalers left at all!