Asian Gardening & Hostas: Serenity in Shade
One of the basic rules of most Asian gardening is no flowers. Texture, colors of foliage, height and shape are of paramount importance. From Asia, we discovered the gift of the Hosta, which now graces millions of gardens across the United States. This plant was brought to Europe in it this early 1700's and today there are over 2500 cultivars with a variety of leaf shape, size, and texture. They are low maintenance and their shade requirements vary widely depending on the color and variety. They all require some shade and the crown must be in good drainage or the plant suffer from rot. They will reach full maturity within 4 to 8 years. With a wide range of color and mixed colors there is one variety in which the foliage is so deep it is called blue and in others a light chartreuse to a soft creamy white. There is a totally creamy white called Hen Feathers. My experience with that plant, however has been...
