Evening star., 1948-04-25
H0stas Bloom With Little Care
Lusty Perennials Do Best When Set
In Shade or Among Shrubbery

and except when planted in wet
soil are comparatively free from
disease. While more often ne
elected than cared for, they do re-
spond to good culture and give sur
prisingly fine results. Their glossy
foliage is as attractive as their
flowers.
Most of the species are moder-
ately fragrant, although the August
lily is very fragrant The various
species have distinct Towering sea-
sons beginning with H. glauca In
mid-June. The last to flower in
the season is H. tardifolia, although
it is not commonly grown or listed
in the catalogues.
The leaves of some are large and
glossy, others narrow and pointed
The veining is quite conspicuous in
several, and most Of the species
have q variety with leaves margined
with white. One species, H. undu-
lata, has creamy-colored blotches
and stripes on the leaves, making
it unusually bright and trim look
ing. The larger-leaved species
make good specimen paintings for
the yard, where both their foliage
and flowers show to good advan-
tage. The variation in shades of
green-from bright to dark and one
with a blush green, makes the
Hosta foliage useful for contrast.
Shaded Spot Liked Best.
The Hostas benefit in this area by
protection from the hot afternoon
sun. In a shaded situation, they
will provide bloom at a season when
most other shade-loving plants are
past the Towering season. The large
growing species are attractive
among ferns or shrubbery, while
the growing ones are excellent
as edging plants.
Even where we'll fed and given
sufficient moisture for good growth
the Hostas do not need frequent
lifting and dividing as do many
perennials. However, they are easily
divided, preferably in the early
spring. The crowns are composed
of segments or bundles that are
readily pulled apart.
The species mentioned. August
lily Oh. plantaginea). and its variety
grandifora reach height of feet
or more, has fairly erect fragrant
white flowers in August and Sep
tember. The Blue Plantain lily Oh.
ventricosa), formerly known as H.
caerulea, has mauve or blue droop-
ing flowers in July. 1t reaches a
height of Is inches or more.
The strongest growing member of
the Hosta group is H. glauca. The
21s to foot spikes do not carry
the flowers far above the interest
ing foliage. The leaves, which are
heart-shaped, have a grayish-green
effect, although they are blue-green
at the base. The flowers are white
tinged lilac and appear in July.
Fortunei Grow Taller.
H. fortunei has somewhat SINH
lar habit of growth, although the
flower spikes carry the bloom far
ther above the foliage The leaves
have a narrow white edge in the
variety albo-marginata. The dainty,
dropping flowers usually are pale
lavender and are produced in July.
H. undulata is no doubt more
often grown for its foliage, which
is wavy and variegated with creamy
white than for the lilac colored
flowers, which appear in August.
This Is one of the most useful for
edging walks and borders.
In preparing a bed for the Plan
tain lilies, it is desirable to mix
compost and humus 10 to IS inches
deep in the soil. Well-rotted manure
is even better for them. An occa-
sional application of commercial
fertilizer worked into the soil about
the plants will keep them growing
vigorously.
Since the Hostas are of such easy
culture and many of them flower
at a season when bloom is scanty
or lacking in the perennial border,
they deserve to be more widely
grown. The gardener having a
shady situation cannot afford to
overlook the Hosta, while the gar
dener with a sunny yard might well
consider them for planting among
the shrubbery on the north side
of the house.