Hostas

Hosta plants, also known as the plantain lily, is a herbaceous perennial grown for its attractive, decorative foliage. It is long-lived, and leaves may be tiny or 18 inches wide and 36 inches high. There is a wide range of cultivars with leaves that may be light or dark green, chartreuse or yellow, gray-green or blue. Many are variegated. Leaf texture also varies; it can be smooth or shiny, matte or powdery, puckered or corrugated. Hostas are excellent at forming bold clumps that keep down weeds. They also benefit from heavy mulching. Hostas look best mass-planted near water features or when allowed to multiply in shady areas under trees. Cultivars with cream, white, or yellow variegation will brighten a shaded part of the yard. With sufficient dappled light, they will maintain their coloration. Mix varieties to create a wealth of different effects.