Discover our favorites now. While you wait for new growth in spring, you won't have to wonder whether your perennials survived the harsh winter. They are drought tolerant, but you can’t let them dry out too much. If they begin to show signs of decline or discoloration, it's time to fertilize. Hosta prefer partial shade, although a few will tolerate sun with adequate moisture. The key is to place each in a climate that best suits their preferred method of growth. Hostas are not drought-tolerant. While they might last though one drought, a continuing drought will result in an irreversible decline and often a dry rot or disintegration of the crown. Characteristics of Drought Tolerant Plants. The reason that most hosta doesn’t thrive in the Deep South is the lack of cold winter temperatures. Although the flowers are attractive, Hostas are usually grown for their ornamental foliage. Sun, heat and drought-tolerant SunHosta was bred for southern gardens. You many want to plant hostas a little bit back from the street to avoid the heavy salt directly by the roadside. Self-seeds very well. Makes a spectacular wide clump. Hostas, also called Plantain lilies, grow best in moist, well-drained, highly organic soils. Division — Most drought tolerant perennials will perform admirably for years without being divided. Hostas are a garden staple for the shade garden for ease of cultivation and garden reliability. Daylilies are also available in early-, mid-, and late-season bloomers. Sunlight is rarely an issue, but intense heat and dry conditions are. When to Cut Back Hostas 5. If you don't want to carry around a list of the more than 2,000 drought tolerant plants and grasses available, you can look for the characteristics common to most drought resistant … When newly planted, keep the roots moist, not wet. Plants protected from the extreme sun and heat with a … To make sure your newly propagated hostas are receiving adequate water, nutrients, and air to the root zone, install Root Starter Sticks. Tips for Hosta Care. Drought resistant when established, this lacey perennial can survive with less water than most shade plants. As Moira says, at least, in these hot climates, slugs and snails are less invasive. Hosta 'Sum and Substance' How to Plant Hostas. Ferns like to be on the moist side, so they will need some water during a drought. Subject: Re : drought tolerant Hostas; From: "GUIRAUD Chantal" chantal.guiraud@wanadoo.fr> Date: Thu, 06 Sep 2001 09:34:56 +0200; Hi all, I would like to thank you all for your answers about the hostas in medit climate. Once the roots are established these perennials are drought tolerant, however, they perform best with a moist soil. Whether it’s chewing hostas to the ground, or nibbling the blooms off tulips and roses, a hungry deer can destroy plant life in an instant. Cultivate Hosta in Dry Conditions. 4. Do you have a semi-shady spot in your garden or one that gets more sun? However, growing hostas in the shade depends […] Perennials: Hostas, Daiseys, Bleeding Hearts, Sunflowers, Butterfly weed. Hostas make a striking addition to the shade garden, with colorful foliage ranging from blue-green and gold to white and green. Although the flowers are attractive, Hostas are usually grown for their ornamental foliage. And in quick fashion! The most popular shade loving perennials are heuchera (coral bells) and hosta. Hostas, also called Plantain Lilies, grow best in moist, well-drained, highly organic soils. Sun Tolerant Hostas. Hostas. These hardy plants can handle the chilliest winters, from USDA zone 4 and below. Many times it can rebound from drought, heat and deer damage. Great bright, colorful choice for the desert Southwest garden. Is there such a thing as sun tolerant Hostas? Exceptions include the most vigorous or prolific perennials such as daylilies, hostas, and tall bearded irises. Hostas make a striking addition to the shade garden, with colorful foliage ranging from blue-green and gold to white and green. Hosta, Hosta Does best in partial shade to full shade. These sun-tolerant hosta plants can flourish in many light settings. Fear not! This group of large sized hostas add tremendous leaf coloration and boldness to a shady area. Growing hostas from seed is not recommended. Hosta 'June' is a former Hosta of the Year winner! Are Hostas Drought Tolerant in Utah? Hi there, I'm hoping to do a drought-tolerant garden in my sunny (though north-facing) front yard which is now gravel. Plant it in beds and containers around the pool. They grow well withstanding extreme temperature conditions. The slug-resistant hostas typically offer leaves that are thicker, blue or have a seersucker texture. Fertilizer - A fresh layer of compost once per year is plenty to keep a hosta supplied with all the nutrients it needs to look great. The compact, variegated ‘June’ Hosta is a lively addition to any garden space! Propagating hostas is a wonderful and low-maintenance way to get color and variety into your garden. Well, duh! A few shade-tolerant plants that can handle occasional drought include hostas, bear’s breech (Acanthus), hardy geraniums, heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica) and bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi). 2. Or, grow daylily varieties that are repeat bloomers, flowering from spring until fall. H. Paul's Glory in lower right corner, H. Antioch to the right (also looks good in heat), and an old H. Undulata in the back. 4. Exhibits pointed, chartreuse-yellow leaves with bluish-green edges. Especially when they just happen to be drought resistant plants too! Find out which varieties fare better in sunny areas and those to avoid plus growing tips for “sun” Hostas. To keep your growing hostas healthy, fertilize them each spring with an all-purpose garden fertilizer. Hostas are available in a wide range of colors; dark green, light green, chartreuse and variegated. Re : drought tolerant Hostas. Hosta is the broad-leafed plant that is popular in many landscapes. Companion Plant: ‘Patriot’ Hosta. I think that it would look best with a slightly japanese themed garden, leaving some of the gravel. Slug-resistant types of hostas make it possible to grow these leafy perennials with less slug and snail damage. Sun Tolerant Hostas Hostas That Can Tolerate More Sun Exposure! Hostas tend to prefer moist, rich soil. Hosta Myth 2 - Hostas are very drought tolerant. A good partner for ferns. Most perennials are drought tolerant once established, but enjoy a drink when the ground is dry. Just like Hosta varietals, the list of different characteristics and traits is endless. Reality - Hostas hate dry soils. The leaves may turn gold if these drought-tolerant plants get lots of sun. Hosta 'Tropical Dancer' displays green leaves with rippled, pie crust-like, creamy-white margins. Hostas 101 Yes, they can be sun-tolerant but that does not mean they are drought-tolerant. By far, the most heat tolerant hosta I have is H. Bressingham Blue. Texas Ranger. They are hardy perennials and only need extra water during the hot and dry times of summer - June to August. Once your plant is established, hosta care becomes a matter of simple maintenance. Fertilize with our balanced slow release fertilizer in spring for best growth. Grow it in a rock garden under the notorious black walnut tree, and it ignores the negative allelopathic effects of this tree. Once established, Hostas can take a good bit of drought, and will compete successfully with tree roots in the North, but need regular watering in the South. Instead, purchase dormant, bare-root divisions or potted hostas plants during the springtime and set the plants with the crown even with the soil level and growing tips visible at the surface of the soil. Fertilizer — Use fertilizer sparingly on drought tolerant plants. Hosta is native to northeast Asia, and requires a dormancy period of cold weather (30 days at or below 40 degrees is the general rule of thumb) to thrive year after year. Heart-shaped leaves are variegated with blue-green margins and yellow centers. Originating in the Orient and brought to Europe in the 1700s, the hosta has a variety in leaf shape, size and texture, deemed as shade lovers. Hostas need consistent moisture to thrive. I have this hosta in moderate shade, but it always looks good, surviving our historic drought two years ago in fine shape. These hostas can handle more sun than most if grown in good soil with adequate moisture. Yes! Watch out, deer and slugs love Hosta. The more sun Goat's Beard gets, the more water it will need. If planted too deep in the shade, blooms will be more sparse. Varieties with thick and waxy leaves are more drought tolerant. Hosta plants are a beautiful drought tolerant perennial – ideal for the Spanish gardens – with their lush foliage, amongst 2,500 cultivars. 2) Spotted Cranesbill (Geranium Maculatum) These sturdy drought-tolerant geranium shrubs flock with flowers proliferating to provide evergreen foliages. Light/Watering: Drought-tolerant once established, these plants are at their best in evenly moist soil in partial shade, although a very few will tolerate full sun with sufficient water. Displays lavender-blue flowers. A terrific plant for containers, water gardens or use its glossy textures to provide contrast in a garden bed. They are drought-tolerant and insect-resistant and offer a wide range of colors and bicolors. Water - Hostas are drought tolerant but 1 inch per week will keep them looking tip-top. Leucophyllum frutescens, also known as Texas ranger or Texas sage, is an excellent choice for drought-tolerant landscaping and needs very little care to thrive.. Silvery-green foliage and purple flowers bring beautiful colors and texture to your landscaping, and this hardy, resilient shrub looks fantastic alongside a paving stone driveway. A good partner for ferns. That's why we've crafted a collection of cold-tolerant perennials. Many different foliage variations available and some have fragrant flowers. Water deeply a couple times per week when your perennial is newly planted. The disease and drought tolerance of this Hosta make it even more attractive for landscapers, who can use it more like a hardy tropical in warmer regions. It’s a keeper. NOTE SIZE: 25 X #1 TC: Look for this size for large bare root hosta grown from certified virus-free tissue culture. Takeaway. Heavy, thick leaves are slug resistant and drought tolerant. Let’s face it, deer can cause serious damage to flowerbeds. For an all-season flower show plant a few of each in your garden. Use as a ground cover, for edging, or as an accent plant in the shady border. The hosta is a very good perennial for the shade, and it can tolerate moderate road salt. The flowers are faded pink-lavender, disc-shaped forming in clusters. I have also written about how to use hostas in a perennial bed border. Hostas are an excellent choice for a waterwise shade garden in Utah! Very drought tolerant perennial, loves the full sun and flowers all summer long. Once established, hosta plants aren’t fussy and are very tolerant of summer drought. Exhibits lavender flowers in summer.