EDDIE SEAGLE: The friendship plant

Jan. 17—"We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. The old skin has to be shed before the new one can come." Joseph Campbell. "The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new." Socrates. "You are never too old to reinvent yourself." Steve Harvey. "Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely." Karen Kaiser Clark. "Be like a tree. Stay grounded. Connect with your roots. Turn over a new leaf. Bend before you break. Enjoy your unique natural beauty. Keep growing." Joanne Raptis. "Life's not about expecting, hoping and wishing, it's about doing, being and becoming." Mike Dooley.

Hosta are the most popular and well-recognized perennial in North America. They have gained their popularity from fantastic foliage that provides interest throughout the growing season. They are adaptable, tough-as-nails plants capable of surviving in the toughest soils and shadiest locations.

One of the ways Hosta ascended in popularity is they can be easily split and shared. They can be dug up, divided, and replanted at almost any time during the year. A term for this type of plant is a "friendship plant" — perennials that are easy to divide and give a piece to your friend or neighbor.

There is also great variety in the genus, with large variations in color, size, variegation, and texture. Today, there are tens of thousands of registered Hosta varieties, with some collectors and nurseries amassing collections of several hundred or even a few thousand.

Most Hostas on the market today are complex crosses of multiple species. These crosses are best recognized by size and color. Savvy gardeners may recognize species of hosta like H. sieboldiana, H. elegans, or H. montana, but most Hosta varieties on the market are complex hybrids of two or more species.

Hosta leaf variegation terminology includes medio-variegation as variegation in the center of the leaf, and marginal variegation as variegation on the edge of the leaf. Hostas are one of the few plants where it is common to have both.

The American Hosta Society identifies five major color categories as green, blue, gold, medio-variegated (light center, dark margin), and marginal variegated (dark center, light margin). And Hostas are also classified into five defined sizes including mini (less than 6" tall), small (7-10" tall), medium (11-18" tall), large (19-28" tall), and giant (more than 28" tall).

The popular hosta variety/series include Diamond Lake — a large blue Hosta with a thick waxy coating and excellent slug resistance. It is among the best for holding its blue coloration late into summer. Miss America — a large variety of multiple shades of green. Medium green margins jet into cream centers with light green streaking. Near white flowers are held high above the foliage on five-foot flowerscapes. Empress Wu — a giant green variety is among the largest Hostas currently available. Leaves are individually giant to match the size of the plant. Use this variety as a space filler in the landscape.

Also, Blue Mouse Ears — a mini blue variety is one of the best-known mini Hostas. Vigorous despite its small size, this variety is perfect for use along the front of the border. Lavender flowers are proportionate to the size of the plant. Brother Stefan — a nicely variegated large hosta known for its crinkled leaf texture. Heavily puckered leaves have apple-green margins and chartreuse centers. Touch of Class — the first tetraploid elevation of a Hosta, with added vigor compared to diploid varieties. Touch of Class impresses with intense blue leaves and chartreuse centers. Dancing Queen — one of the most popular large gold varieties, emerging yellow from the start in spring. And Silly String — a unique hosta with narrow blue leaves with intensely wavy margins. Pale purple flowers top the plant for a perfect package. Great for containers or the front of the shade garden.

Hosta are among the easiest perennials to put in your garden. They are durable, long-lived, and generally maintenance-free. Hosta can be planted in most shady spaces in the garden. Placing in the morning sun or dappled shade will usually bring out the most intense foliage colors without causing leaf burn. Gardeners in southern zones will want to make sure they are placing their hosta in full shade. Growers in northern zones may find that some hosta, such as 'Guacamole', 'Paradigm', or 'Guardian Angel' are capable of being grown in full sun with adequate moisture.

High soil fertility certainly helps Hosta grow bigger, and faster, but is not ultimately necessary to have beautiful specimens. Plant in fertile soils or compost for the largest, fastest-growing plants. Hosta can grow in a variety of soils, from loose sand to heavy clay. In sandier soils, plants will need more frequent watering. Poor and sandy soils can be amended with compost or organic matter to increase fertility.

Hosta have traditionally been selected as a foliage plant first, with flowers as an afterthought. Flowers can be trimmed from the plant at any time without harming it. The blue color on Hostas is actually from a waxy coating called blum. This coating develops as the plant emerges in spring and fades through the summer. Rain will wash the blum off and cause blue hostas to go green faster, as will direct sun exposure which melts the wax off. To keep your hostas blue, plant them in partial shade and avoid overhead watering. This wax coating provides additional protection from burning under the sun. Gold hostas gain the most intense color when best planted in filtered shade or morning sun. Planting in deep shade will result in more chartreuse or green color, planting in full sun will typically cause leaf scorch.

Hosta flowers are attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. The primary detractor for Hosta is they tend to be a highly desired food source for deer, particularly when they are emerging in spring. If deer are an issue in your neighborhood, sitting them near entryways to the house, within a fenced or obstructed enclosure, or behind deer tape may be necessary for them to thrive.

Slugs tend to overwinter in hosta foliage. If you have a slug problem, cutting them back in the fall can help reduce slug damage. Bait for slugs in spring as the foliage is emerging to prevent leaf damage later in the year. Hostas with thicker or crinkled leaves tend to be more resistant to slug damage.

Hostas are considered a "Friendship Plant!" Hostas can be easily divided and shared with friends. Digging them up and dividing them every 5-10 years will also improve the vigor of the main plant. Enjoy your Hostas!

This fact sheet is provided as an educational service of the National Garden Bureau (www.ngb.org/year-of-the-hosta).

"My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them." Proverbs 1:10. And a Voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." Mark 1:11. "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the Crown of Life that God has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12. "For [God] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the Kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:13-14. "You were marked in [Christ] with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession — to the praise of His glory." Ephesians 1:13-14.

Eddie Seagle is a Sustainability Verifier, Golf Environment Organization (Scotland), Agronomist and Horticulturalist, CSI: Seagle (Consulting Services International) LLC, Professor Emeritus and Honorary Alumnus (Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College), Distinguished Professor for Teaching and Learning (University System of Georgia) and Short Term Missionary (Heritage Church, Moultrie). Direct inquiries to csi_seagle@yahoo.com.