Certain perennials, such as hostas, lend themselves to collectors. They are easy to grow, can be easily divided and come in a plethora of forms, colours and sizes. Hostas are among the most popular and well-known plants.
Just out of curiosity, I did a quick inventory around the property and found more than 30 hostas, in some eight to 10 varieties, and I would not consider myself a collector. Our friends at National Garden Bureau ( ) have chosen the hosta as the perennial of the year for 2024. Let’s take a closer look at this popular and hard-working perennial.
Hostas 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 reasons 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 neighbour. Hosta halcyon features puckered, blue foliage and makes an interesting textural combination with sweet woodruff in a semi-shade border.
There is also great variety in the genus, with large variations in colour, 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 tho.
