A guest blog from the lovely Gina who works in the office at the nursery. Gina is such an important part of Sienna Hosta, but as she will readily admit, plants are not her forte. She did however, want to contribute a guest blog to talk about her surprise love of hostas and the knowledge she has gained over the years.
I'm going to let you in on a little secret - I'm not a gardener, and probably never will.
When I joined Sienna Hosta back in 2016, I had next to no knowledge of hostas. To me, they were just 'filler foliage' - nothing too exciting, just green leaves that filled a gap. How wrong I was.
Over the years, I've developed a real admiration for these incredible plants. With thousands of varieties to choose from, there's truly a hosta for everyone. Whether you're after something bold and architectural, or dainty and delicate.
From the tiny charm of Hosta 'Blue Mouse Ears' to the mighty, show-stopping Hosta 'Fran Godfrey', there's a plant to suit every garden and personality.
Working at the nursery, one of the questions I'm asked most often is: "Which hosta would you recommend for a beginner?".
When I was starting out, I wanted something grew quickly - partly for instant impact, and partly for that satisfying sense of achievement. A perfect choice for that is Hosta 'Halcyon', a beautiful medium blue variety that's strong, reliable, and fast growing.
If you prefer something with a splash of colour, I always think of Hosta 'Beach Boy'. It has vibrant yellow centres edged with deep blue, and it's tough too! It's thick leaves make it less appealing to slugs and snails, which is always a win in my book.
And my personal favourite? Hosta 'Black Light'. Its dark blue green leaves and striking purple stems and simply stunning. I love growing it in a pot so you can really appreciate its colouration. Perfect for newcomers who want something a bit special.
Hostas are pretty hardy, but I've learned the hard way that overwatering is their biggest enemy. Too much water can cause the roots to rot, so good drainage is essential.
As autumn arrives, your hostas will naturally die back, usually around October, and that's when I put my top tip into action: Remove the dead foliage - This helps prevent slugs and snails from settling in and laying their eggs over winter.
With the old leaves gone, your plants are tidy and ready to reappear in all their splendour in the spring. One of the things I love most about hostas, is no matter how rough they may look at the end of summer, they always come back looking fresh and beautiful.
From early May to late July, hostas are at their best - a reward for both beginners and seasoned gardeners alike.
I hope this article has helped you and that you develop the same enthusiasm for hostas as I have. From one novice to another, good luck and enjoy! Gina x
