Growing guide · Perennials

Hosta

How to grow Hosta 'Patriot'.

Green leaves, bright white trim.

Light
Part sun, shade
Water
Moderate
Zones
3–9
Size
12–18 in. tall, 24–30 in. wide
Spacing
2–2.5 ft apart.
Pets
Not on the ASPCA pet-safe list; keep it out of reach
Hosta with dark green leaves edged in wide crisp white margins

Light

Part to full shade; handles morning sun well.

Water

Keep evenly moist; an inch a week in summer.

Planting and soil

Plant in spring or early fall in rich soil, crown at soil level.

Feeding

Compost in spring.

Pruning

Cut flower stalks after bloom. Clear old leaves in fall.

Through the year

Up in mid-spring, white edges by early summer, lavender flowers in July.

If something's off

Deer, rabbits and slugs all go for hostas. Toxic to dogs and cats.

Plays well with

Plant it with friends.

Hosta 'Halcyon'
HostaHosta 'Halcyon' from $36.99
Japanese Painted Fern 'Pictum'
Athyrium niponicum var. pictumJapanese Painted Fern 'Pictum' from $29.99
Sweet Woodruff
Galium odoratumSweet Woodruff from $30.99

Why we stock it: High contrast and good sun tolerance in a classic.

That's everything we know about growing it. Thanks for reading.

Know someone with the right spot? Send them this.

The Sunday Tip · every Sunday

One good plant idea,
every Sunday.

What to plant this week in your zone, every Sunday. New ways to plant and odd tricks that actually work.