by James Alexander-Sinclair
A client of mine said something curious to me this week, as we were discussing what to plant in her garden: "I hope you're not going to give me any of those ghastly cabbagey things".
A client of mine said something curious to me this week, as we were discussing what to plant in her newly-landscaped garden: "I hope you're not going to give me any of those ghastly cabbagey things".
Strangely, I instantly knew that she was talking about hostas. The hosta can be a really annoying plant: pretty flowers and truly glorious leaves that can completely transform a shady corner, but (and this is a big, big but) they have the same irresistible attraction to molluscs as cow pie has to Desperate Dan.
At this time of year all is perfect with tightly furled funnels of foliage poking their heads through the ground. The problem begins when the leaves unravel to reveal, not flawless quilted duvets of perfection, but something moth eaten and riddled with holes.
However, one should not give up growing hostas just because they can be a little troublesome. Did David take one look at Goliath and wander off to the pub? Did Leonidas and his Spartans gaze upon the hordes of advancing Persians and suddenly remember another appointment? Did Barnsley run screaming from the field when faced with the might of Liverpool? They did not, they dug in their heels, confronted the enemy head on and sorted things out (admittedly it was not the happiest of endings for the Spartans but they gave it a pretty good shot).
Slug and snail control has been covered here a few times so you should have lots of available weaponry in the battle. Should you decide (as you should) that hostas are worth the trouble then it's easier to defend them if they are grown in pots (these are some particularly fine ones as grown by my mother) and always make sure that they're not at all stressed - well watered and out of direct sunshine (too much sun reduces the lustre of the leaves).
All these aspects considered, if I was only allowed to grow one hosta then I would have to choose Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegans'. It has big glaucous blue leaves and a chandelier of white flowers, looks magnificent in a pot and wonderful in a damp corner amongst ferns (especially Matteuccia struthiopteris).
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