Hosta, also known as hosta, is a very easy-care and popular perennial garden plant, known for its beautiful leaves and its ability to thrive in the shade – a perfect perennial for those who like things clean and simple.
Hosta is a favorite among garden enthusiasts, and for good reason. The plant comes in many different varieties, the leaves can be green, bluish, yellow or variegated – with white or cream edges. The foliage is dense and lush, and the plant can stand for years in the same place without much care, it comes back willingly year after year and really only gets more beautiful with age.
There are over two thousand varieties of hosta, and it is the great variation in the foliage (both in terms of colors and patterns) that makes the plant a collectors item among the most avid collectors. In other words, hosta is planted for the sake of the leaves, but it also blooms – usually with flowers in white and delicate blue and purple tones, on tall stems that rise above the foliage, to the delight of bees and other pollinators.
Lily of the valley and hostas are two classic shade loving plants that pair beautifully together. With some planning, these perennials can be combined to create an enchanting woodland garden vignette.
An Overview of Lily of the Valley
Lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is a spring blooming perennial that forms a carpet of bright green leaves. In spring, it produces delicate nodding white bell shaped flowers on upright stalks that have a lovely, sweet fragrance. The flowers appear above the foliage.
This plant spreads readily by underground rhizomes and forms lush colonies where happy. Mature plant sizes range from 6 to 12 inches tall and wide. Lily of the valley thrives in dappled sunlight and organic rich soil, making it ideal for woodland gardens.
Growing Conditions for Lily of the Valley
When selecting a site to plant lily of the valley, look for the following characteristics
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Part to full shade – Dappled sunlight or morning sun is tolerated but avoid hot afternoon sun.
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Organic, humusy soil – Loamy soil amended with compost or leaf mold is ideal
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Consistent moisture – Likes evenly moist, well-drained soil. Not suited for dry areas.
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Cool conditions – Performs best in zones 2-7. Tolerates partial shade further south.
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Neutral pH – Does well in acid to neutral soil that’s not overly alkaline.
Lily of the valley won’t thrive in very dense shade, hot climates, or soggy wet areas. Proper site selection is key to success.
The Best Hostas for Shade Gardens
Hostas are beloved shade tolerant perennials that are grown primarily for their attractive foliage. There are hundreds of hosta varieties to choose from in a wide range of sizes, leaf colors, and textures. Here are some top picks for woodland gardens:
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Hosta ‘Blue Angel’ – Massive blue leaves up to 18 inches long. Stunning specimen plant.
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Hosta ‘Fragrant Bouquet’ – Heavily textured, medium green leaves with fragrant white flowers.
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Hosta ‘Patriot’ – White-edged leaves with vibrant green centers. Adds bold contrast.
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Hosta ‘Stained Glass’ – Bright gold leaves with wide, dark green edges.
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Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’ – Huge chartreuse leaves make a big impact. Tolerates some sun.
For the most choices, look for small and miniature hosta cultivars under 1 foot tall. They will combine the best with lily of the valley.
Companion Planting Lily of the Valley and Hostas
When planted together in the right conditions, lily of the valley and hostas complement each other beautifully:
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Plant hostas first, spacing them 18-36 inches apart depending on mature size. They will act as anchor plants.
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Fill in between and around the hostas with lily of the valley spaced 8-12 inches apart.
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Allow 2-3 years for the lily of the valley to establish and fill out the area thickly between hostas.
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Use taller hostas toward the back and shorter, miniature varieties near the front.
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Underplant both with shade tolerant groundcovers like ajuga, sweet woodruff, or lamium.
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For 3 seasons of interest, add spring bulbs like snowdrops or winter aconite.
Caring for Lily of the Valley and Hostas
Once established, both lily of the valley and hostas have relatively easy care needs:
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Water regularly during the first year as plants establish. Afterward, weekly watering is sufficient unless soils are very sandy.
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Apply a balanced organic fertilizer to hostas in early spring. Lily of the valley benefits from occasional light feeding.
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Remove spent hosta flower stems and lily of the valley flower stalks after blooming finishes.
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Hostas may require division every 3-5 years if they outgrow their space in the garden.
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Monitor for slugs and snails. Use organic bait if pests become problematic.
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Add a fresh layer of organic mulch around plants each spring.
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Cut back lily of the valley foliage in fall once it dies back. Leave hosta leaves over winter to insulate crowns.
The Appeal of This Classic Shade Garden Combo
Pairing sweetly-scented lily of the valley with diverse hostas makes for an unbeatable shade garden duo. Both spread readily when content, covering the ground attractively beneath trees and shrubs where little else thrives. The white blooms of lily of the valley appear like drifts of snow under the bold foliage of hostas.
This traditional woodland garden combination has been loved for generations thanks to the neat mounding habit of hostas contrasting wonderfully with lily of the valley’s flowing carpet-like form. Together they provide varied textures, colors, and fragrances sure to enchant any shade garden.
Perfect in the shade, as ground cover and in pots
Hosta is a great plant for shade beds, under trees, along paths or as ground cover. Since hosta spreads out over time in the bed, it keeps weeds at bay and helps to retain moisture in the bed for longer.
Many people ask us if they can plant hosta in outdoor pots, and you absolutely can. Filling outdoor pots with perennials is something more and more people swear by. Choose a large pot, fill it with good soil and plant away. The plant will die back in the fall, just like in the bed, but will come back in the spring.
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Hosta can be planted from early spring to late autumn. They establish quickly but grow relatively slowly. If you want a lush bed in a short time, you can plant quite densely. When the plants grow, you can divide them.
Most types of hosta do best in partial shade to full shade. The varieties with green leaves do best in shade, while the varieties with yellow or white edges prefer some sun to bring out their colors. Many of the bluish, yellow, and thick-leaved varieties also do well in full sun. Hosta is generally quite adaptable to sun conditions.
Hosta likes moist, well-drained soil. They thrive in soil that is rich in organic matter, so feel free to mix in some cow manure compost when planting. But when it comes to soil, hosta can also adapt to a great extent.
Care tips for hosta
There are only a few simple tricks needed to keep a hosta looking good for a long time.
- Watering Hosta prefers even moisture. Water the plant regularly, especially during dry periods. Make sure it does not stand in water, as this can lead to root rot.
- Fertilization Hosta needs nutrition to grow big and beautiful. Fertilize the plant in early spring, and preferably again during the summer. For example, you can use cow manure compost, regular garden fertilizer or Trim Blue. You can also give the plant a top layer of new soil every spring.
- Pruning Hosta requires minimal pruning. After flowering, the flower stalks can be cut off. In the fall, you can leave the wilted leaves on the plant as a natural winter cover, and then cut off all the old and dead ones in early spring. However, if the leaves are clearly attacked by fungus in the fall, you should remove the leaves before winter comes.
- Slugs and pests Slugs, unfortunately including brown slugs, are the biggest challenge for hostas. Use snail repellent, snail traps or copper tape around the plant to keep them away. Keep the area around the plant clean to reduce infestation.
Hosta can be divided to get more plants, to prevent the plant from getting too big for its space or simply to renew it – the plants get dense. It is best to wait until the plants are 4 to 5 years old before dividing them for the first time. It is best to do this in early spring, before the leaves appear, but the plant can also be divided in autumn.
- Dig up the plant. Hosta has strong roots, so don’t be afraid to take a little bit of a beating, the plant will cope even if some leaves and roots are damaged.
- Divide the root ball with a sharp spade or knife, making sure each part has enough roots to survive on its own.
- Plant the parts where you want them, just make sure it is a place they will thrive.
- Water well, and continue to water as the plants establish themselves.
If you are going to plant hosta with other plants in a bed that is in shade to partial shade, it is important to choose plants that thrive in the same light and moisture conditions. Here are some suggestions:
- Astilbe (Astilbe) Does well in shade to partial shade, and likes moist soil. The flowers provide a nice contrast to the hostas foliage.
- Heuchera (Alumroot) Comes in many different colors and can provide a nice contrast to the hosta. Thrives in shade to partial shade.
- Ferns Thrives in shady areas and provides a nice texture with the hosta.
- Forget-me-not (Brunnera macrophylla) Has attractive leaves and small blue flowers that brighten up the shade.
- Foamflower (Tiarella) Has beautiful leaves and white to pink flowers. Thrives in moist, shady soil.
- Sedge (Carex) An ornamental grass that provides a nice texture and contrast to the large hosta leaves.
Although hosta is primarily grown for its decorative foliage, young shoots of hosta can actually be eaten. In Japan, there is a long tradition of collecting “sansai” (mountain vegetables), including hosta. All types of hosta can be eaten, but there is a great deal of variation in taste. Hosta grandiflora is said to be one of the most used and tasty varieties.
If you want to try hosta in food, spring is the time to be ready. When the shoots come up from the ground, like pointed, green spears, you can cut them down and prepare them, as if they were asparagus (the shoots actually look a bit like asparagus too). Make sure you only cut off a few shoots from each plant, so that they grow big and nice in the bed too.
Best Plants for Shaded Areas in the garden | Shade loving plants & flowers for Home Garden
FAQ
Can hostas and lily of the valley be planted together?
Plant it with ferns, hostas, or variegated Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum ‘Variegatum’), which will hide lily-of-the-valley’s foliage if it begins to turn drab later in the season.
Do lily of the valley choke out other plants?
Lily of the valley is a shade-loving groundcover with a dense root system. As the plants grow, the roots spread and will eventually crowd out weeds and most other nearby plants.
What not to plant near hostas?
- Black Walnut Trees. …
- Aggressive Ground Covers like English Ivy. …
- Bamboo. …
- Shallow-Rooted Trees (Maples, Birches) …
- Large Ornamental Grasses. …
- Plants That Require Dry Soil (Lavender, Rosemary)
- Full-Sun Perennials (Echinacea, Rudbeckia) …
- Thirsty Shrubs (Hydrangeas)
What pairs well with lily of the valley?
… in floral fragrances, lily-of the-valley blends well with woody notes like sandalwood, patchouli, and vetiver as well as green notes such as herbs and foliageSep 28, 2020