Shade-loving perennials grown primarily for their bold patterned foliage.
Hardiness ratings
| System | Rating | Temperature range | How to read it |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA hardiness zone | Zone 3–9 | −40 °C to −1.1 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| RHS hardiness rating | H7 | down to −20 °C | Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance |
| Canadian plant hardiness zone | Zone 3–8 | −34 °C to −1 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
| Australian (ANBG) zone | Zone 1–5 | −15 °C to 10 °C | Plant tolerates down to this zone |
About Hostas
Hostas are grown almost entirely for foliage rather than flowers, and they are one of the few genuinely reliable large-leaved perennials for deep shade. They are East Asian in origin and were long cultivated in Japan before reaching Western gardens. Blue-leaved varieties are not truly blue: the colour is a waxy bloom on the leaf surface that scatters light, and it can be rubbed off or gradually washed away by overhead watering and strong sun. Slug and snail damage is the perennial complaint, and thick-leaved varieties are noticeably more resistant.
Growing notes
- Slugs and snails are the main pest
- Foliage scorches in afternoon sun
Categories
Related plants
Cross-check Hostas against your zones