Gardening

Hurrah for the Hosta!

The Hosta is a herbaceous perennial that is tough and winter hardy, grown primarily for their impressive foliage which is varied in both size and colour range.

Hostas vary in size, some no more than a few of lacy leaved specimens is something some fanatics centimetres across up to the giants that can grow into to the Hosta are prepared to live with. On a visit to an enormous clump of up to a metre across making a Prince Charles’s Highgrove garden i noted that his Royal dramatic statement in any garden. They are useful for Highness’s Hostas were decimated by slugs and were so planting in damp or shady places where many other holey they resembled a lace tablecloth, but for him with plants might struggle, but some with wonderful lush his organic principles he was prepared to accept them in bright foliage are perfect for brightening up any gloomy his garden that way and I and many other Hosta growers corner. The yellow leaved Hostas will endure more sun can go along with that. and are a better performer in a sunnier spot. Whilst they do produce upright flowers mainly in pastel shades of Hostas are a moisture loving plant and it’s probably true to say if you want your plants to grow quickly and white, pink or lilac, it is primarily grown for the foliage to maximum size to look good all season then give as and some gardeners remove the flowers to preserve the quality of the leaves. The hosta with it’s luscious foliage is unparalleled for accent and ground cover effect.‘Halcyon’ will make a dense clump of blue-green oval foliage which much water as you can. Easy to divide in the spring when growth is at its fastest, top dress with a little high Nitrogen feed early in the season. Chicken manure pellets gently forked into the soil will feed your plants is particularly slug resistant. Some varieties are far more perfectly. I enjoy my hostas they are tough versatile and resistant to slug damage which becomes more prevalent as the season moves on. adaptable plants and if you collect the more resistant varieties to slugs then you will be rewarded with a

The big issue with growing Hostas is their desirability fabulous plant perfect for any patio pot or container and to slugs and snails, there are many treatments to help their saving grace is that they are totally disease resistant. reduce damage like crushed eggshells sprinkled under your Hostas. Coffee grindings are also helpful if thickly mulched around your plants as the slugs find it difficult to move over the coffee. Copper bands are also good as they don’t like crossing it.There are also a variety of Karl Strawbridge Wagon House Gardens organic remedies to deter the pests. However if you The Jinney Ring Craft Centre, love your Hostas come what may, then having a display Hanbury, B60 4BU Tel: 01527 821421

Jobs in the garden for July

Deadhead any repeat flowering perennials to promote more flowers Cut back hardy geraniums to get a second flush Divide clumps of Iris, trim the tops and replant Keep picking sweet peas Boost your Tomato crop with a liquid tomato feed