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Frequently Asked Hosta Questions
A list of all the most frequently asked hosta questions. Check this HostasDirect Hosta FAQ for answers to many of your hosta and perennial questions. Be sure to check our Perennial FAQ
Where did hostas come from?
Hostas were originally from Korea, Japan and eastern China. They naturally evolved and grew in open fields, moist meadows, rocky mountain slopes, in forests and shady mountain woods. They often evolved in maritime climates that were surrounded by oceans that caused cooler, damper and cloudier conditions. On the main islands of Japan, the annual precipitation is 62 inches. By comparison, Northeastern and Midwestern United States only receive from 20 to 40 inches of rainfall. The first hosta seed to actually reach the western world (to Paris) was H. plantagenia sometime between 1784 and 1789. The first major shipment of hostas to reach America directly from Japan was organized by Thomas Hogg, Jr., a man named U. S. Marshall by Abraham Lincoln in 1862. In Japan, new species and varieties are still being discovered in nature.--> Back to the top
How did hostas evolve?
God only knows. In nature there are approximately 40 recognized species (the number is up for debate by scientists) of hostas that evolved in Japan, eastern China and South Korea. Japan is on the 45th parallel, the same latitude as HostasDirect, which may explain why hostas do so well in Minnesota. The original 40 hostas are referred to as species hostas, and are designated by the spelling of their first name with a lowercase letter. (i.e. plantagenia) Plants that are cultivars are designated with a capital letters, which means that they are offspring of a species plants.--> Back to the top
How are hostas named?
This is a rather complicated subject that we will not get into all of the details about here. In general, there are two names used to identify hostas. The first part (H.) is to identify the genus, Hostas, and the second to identify the specific variety. Hostas that are recognized as one of the original 40 or so “species” plants from Asia are begin with a lowercase letter. As an example, H. plantagenia. A hosta that is not a species plant is identified with a capital letter (H. 'Christmas Tree.') The hybridizers that have worked for often 7 years or more to develop one new hosta have the honor of naming their plant with the hosta registrar.--> Back to the top
What are the most common hostas?
We would say that until the late 1980’s there were primarily five common hostas in the Twin Cities before the use of tissue culture propagation: undulata albomarginata, undulata veriegata, lancifolia, undulata erromenia, and plantagenia. These varieties are fast-growing and multipliers. However, they have thinner leaves that can attract slugs and are not nearly as beautiful or unique as some of the new hybrids now available.--> Back to the top
What about hosta seeds?
Hostas produce much seed. However, it is most unlikely that any seedling will have more than a passing resemblance to the seed or pod parent, nor any particular appeal of its own. Not all hostas produce fertile seed and not all seed in any one pod is necessarily fertile.--> Back to the top
How long does it take to develop a new hybrid?
It takes at least five years or more before a hosta variety can be considered ready for registering. This doesn't include any time taken to actually produce the new hybrid. Once a new hybrid is created, it needs to remain undisturbed and grow for at least 5 years before being registered by the American Hosta Society.--> Back to the top
In nature, how do new hostas develop?
When plants bloom, bees may cross-pollinate with other varieties of hostas. When the hostas seeds fall off, a new variety may grow that is different from any other variety.--> Back to the top
How are new hostas hybridized?
Humans can take paintbrushes, remove the pollen and store it in a refrigerator until the other plant is receptive to it, and then it can be cross-pollinated creating seed that will yield a different plant. As some hostas bloom at different times of the year, their pollen will not come into contact with other plants. A hybridizer may plant 4,000 seeds. From the 4,000 plants he may throw away 3,600 the first year, another 350 the second year, another 45 the third year, and actually only consider 5 plants out of the 4,000 as new possibilities. Then, these plants have to prove stable, be different than any other cultivar that is registered, and have characteristics that make it marketable. It is time consuming and laborious. Nonetheless, there are many hybridizers that we can thank for doing all of this time consuming and detailed work. The hybridizer gets to name the plant. The HostaSearch™ Database has the names of the people involved with hybridizing existing hostas. In addition, there may also be corresponding information about the Pod Parent, Pollen Parent, what plant the hosta is a sport of, and the year the hosta was registered.--> Back to the top
What is so great about new hosta varieties?
Dedicated, hardworking hybridizers and average gardeners continue to develop plants with new postive traits. Examples include: thicker leaves for slug resistance, faster growth rates, more textures, new leaf shapes, color variations in the leaves, new forms and sizes, bluer blues, golder golds, fragrance, and colorful petioles. One advantage to buying Starter Hostas (Tissue Culture) is you get the new varieties before they are widely available.--> Back to the top
What is a sport?
A sport is a shoot off a plant that is different from the original plant. Different mechanisms may explain the appearance of sports: Chimeral rearrangements (where cells move between layers), Mutations (changes in the DNA), Mitotic recombinations (exchanges in the chromosomes). By far the most common type of mutation occurs when the chlorophyll changes or mutates into another form, creating a leaf with different foliage color than the mother plant. Keep in mind this is different from reverting, a process where a plant changes back to the variety of its parentage.--> Back to the top
Should I divide my hostas?
Many hostas do not need to be divided. If needed, they can be divided every 5 to 20 years. It depends on the cultivar. Learn about dividing hostas.--> Back to the top
Why are some hostas fragrant?
The first plant imported to Europe in the mid 1800’s from China, plantagenia, is the mother “species” plant that fosters outstanding fragrance and beauty. Plantagenia’s offspring are also spectacular hostas having beautiful, fragrant blooms in August in Minnesota. Hostas with plantagenia parentage also grow the best of all of the hostas in the heat of the south. These plantagenia offspring can be found at the HostaSearch™ Database. Unfortunately, deer love fragrant hostas due to their apparent sweet taste.--> Back to the top
Do some hostas' leaves change color?
Some hostas start the season with bright yellow leaves that will turn green by summer - a process called viridescence. Some hostas start out green and turn yellow – a process called lutescence. In some variegated hostas, margins or centers that start the season yellow will change to bright or creamy white by the end of the year – a process called albescence. You can find hostas with this seasonal color change using the HostaSearch™ Database.--> Back to the top
Why are the Starter Hosta TC hostas not blue like the website photos?
Some have been concerned that the Starter Hosta TC you purchased are not blue upon arrival. Some varieties secrete a wax that makes the green leaf turn a bluish or gray color. The term used in horticulture for this blue color is called a “glaucous bloom.” Each year until the hosta is about 3 to 5 years old, the hosta emits more wax, making it even bluer. Some blue varieties emit more wax in early spring, some later in the summer. Your hosta will turn blue with some more time. It is best to keep these hostas out of direct afternoon sun so the wax will not melt off.--> Back to the top
Can I plant hostas in the summer?
In most climates I would say yes. Just keep the hostas moist. If it is sunny outside don’t water on top of the leaves as the water can magnify the sun and hurt the leaves – just like a magnifying glass. If you water during the afternoon on a sunny day, water around the roots with a watering wand. Check with the experts in your local hosta society regarding any concerns you have when you can plant in your area. Consider sun-resistant, or yellow hostas.--> Back to the top
Which hostas are best for shade?
This growing condition requires a hosta with more chlorophyll in it as seen in dark green leaves or blue hostas. All hostas need some light or they begin to slowly shrink and eventually die.--> Back to the top
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