Hosta tardiflora

Hostas are planted in spring or autumn. Hostas prefer a deep, fertile, humus-rich, loose soil, preferably neutral to acidic (at least low in limestone), moist to wet throughout the year. Plant them in partial shade or dappled shade and in a sheltered location away from strong winds.

Prepare a planting hole of 20cm (8in) x 20cm (8in) x 20cm (8in). If your soil is heavy, mix equal parts of compost with crumbled soil, partially fill the hole and place your potted plant so that the top of the root ball is covered with 3cm (1in) of soil. Adding a slow-release fertiliser (such as bonemeal) will nourish your plant during its rooting period without risk of burning. Make sure to position the collar well above ground level. Firm the soil and water thoroughly to eliminate air pockets. If the weather is dry, you will need to water regularly for a few weeks to facilitate the establishment of your plant. Also water regularly in case of a dry summer.

With their shared preference for moist areas, slugs and snails never stray far from hostas. Even though blue or variegated hostas often have thicker and tougher foliage, which is less appealing to slugs, these plants must be protected from gastropods. Protect your hosta plants by surrounding them with ferramol-based pellets (approved for Organic Agriculture), eggshells, coffee grounds, mulch, or any dry and rough natural substance that repels them. Hedgehogs are the gardener's best allies in the fight against gastropods, as unlike chickens, they do not dig up the soil and do not attack the tender green shoots of young plants. Finally, some plants have a repulsive odour for slugs, such as wormwood and garlic.