Hostas for Both Shady and Sunny Locations
 (Read 50+ times)
By Glory Lennon
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It seems that most of the people that come to me ask for shade tolerant plants, plants they can grow in their nook in the woods, under their huge Hemlock trees. The first one to pop into my head, of course, is the indelible Hosta, queen of shade. The Hosta is a most wonderful plant with as many shapes, colors and sizes as there are plants in the world and enough cultivars, at last count...well, frankly, I can’t count that high. Let’s just say thousands with more being developed every year.
With all these new ones coming into being there have been several which are sun tolerant and do quite well in full sun. For those of us who have more sun than we need (is that possible?) these Hostas will not fade, will retain their color well and won’t shrivel up and die like some shade loving plants. Here are some of the most popular, easily available and hardiest amongst the sun tolerant Hosta.
“August Moon” - This Hosta has large, sturdy leaves of a bright yellow-green color. Deep groves on the heart shaped foliage give it a rippled, wavy look which is most attractive. The leaves being so thick makes it slug resistant as well. Always a good thing with Hostas since they are considered by some, me especially, as slug chocolate. August Moon grows equally nice in full shade as in full sun but the yellow color will intensify in the sun making it glow. A real beauty at 20 inches tall and 42 inch wide spread.
“Fortunei Hyacinthina” - Stiff greyish-green leaves with a bluish tinge to the underside has good slug resistance. Foliage is heavily veined and cluster around in charming disarray. This forms large clumps 23 inches tall with a 30 inch wide spread and grows pale lavender flowers on 30 inch tall spikes from July to August. This grows just as well in full sun as it does in full shade.
“Francee” - 14 inches tall and 36 wide, Francee has bright and shiny green foliage. Heart shaped leaves have a thin edging of bright white. Their low and wide growing habit makes it ideal for use as a ground cover and that it tolerates both shade and sun makes it versatile enough to look great anywhere in your yard.
“Royal Standard” - Deep green with fragrant white flowers which bloom August to September, Royal Standard grows 26 inches tall and 40 inches wide. The leaves are deeply veined and heart shaped. Does well anywhere.
“Wide Brim” - The variegated foliage on Wide Brim is awesome. Dark green leaves with deep ribbing are edged with bright yellow splashes of color, like Van Gogh randomly stroked the leaf rim with his paint brush. The flowers bloom a pale lavender on scapes 24 inches tall. Pretty mounds can be between 24 and 40 inches wide with the plant itself to 16 inches high. Quite striking in the garden whether in sun or shade.
“Stained Glass” - The 2006 winner of The American Hosta Growers Hosta of the Year award, Stained Glass will not disappoint. Leaves 10 inches long and standing 15 inches tall with an upright growth and spreads to 30 inches wide. Bright gold-green leaves have a dark green margin. The flowers are large, pale lavender and fragrant. A winner all around. Full sun or full shade it grows great. The leaves are so pretty I’ve displayed them all by themselves in a vase. There was no need for any flowers and they last longer in water than any flower I know, almost a full month.
“Blue Angel” - Bluish-green leaves, deeply ribbed and 16 inches long. Blue Angel can get to 4 feet wide. WOW! The white flowers bloom over a long time and it tolerates the sun quite well.
“Gold Edger” - This is one of the most sun tolerant Hostas around and actually requires sun to achieve the best coloring. It grows to 10 inched tall with 3 inch long, heart shaped leaves in a chartreuse- gold color. Lavender flowers are abundant.
“Gold Standard” - Bright golden green heart shaped leaves have a darker green edging. The plant forms mounds 2-3 feet wide and 20 inches tall. Purple flowers bloom in July and August.
“Sum and Substance” - This huge 5 feet wide, 3 foot high monster Hosta is a garden all by itself. Slug resistant, highly textured 20 inch long leaves of a shiny yellow- green color and with lavender flowers. Who can beat that? Oh, yeah, and it loves the sun as much as the shade. A powerful statement in any garden setting.
Any one or five of these lovely, sun-tolerant Hostas would work great in both your sunniest and shadiest garden spaces. But I’m certain there are many more you can look for. Gilbert H. Wild and Son has the largest collection available for sale spring and fall.
Visit their site for a gigantic assortment of Hostas (not to mention Daylilies and Peonies too) at :
http://www.gilberthwild.com.
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Author Bio Box: Glory Lennon
 To find more on gardening visit
http://www.helium.com/user/show/32782.
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