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First year of hostas

JacquimcmahonJacquimcmahon Posts: 1,039
in Plants
Hi everyone and especially you hosta lovers,

I have planted a few this year for the first time. They are lovely but much smaller than I expected. Is this because they get bigger with age, or have I insulted them in some way by planting in pots?

Also a couple are putting out flower spikes, should I let them flower in the first year?

for info I bought them as bare roots so have no idea how old they may actually be.
Marne la vallée, basically just outside Paris 🇫🇷, but definitely Scottish at heart.
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  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    Do you know what varieties you have?  I bought three 'Devon Green' as bare root plants this spring, my first attempt to grow hostas, and I love them - beautiful pleated leaves which (I'm whispering here) haven't yet been found by the slugs.  Mine are also quite small but I think it's a relatively small-leaved variety.  @Hostafan1 might be able to advise you if he has time...   :)
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Lots of small varieties are available and they will stay small, but I've found with mine that the larger ones take 2-3 years to reach full size, my Sum and Substance was only a tiny division of two leaves when I got it at Dixter and now is a shady area for the cat to rest under 😂 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • JacquimcmahonJacquimcmahon Posts: 1,039
    So I braved the heat and went to take some photos Francis williams, drinking gourd, golden tiara and wide brim.
    Marne la vallée, basically just outside Paris 🇫🇷, but definitely Scottish at heart.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    I pick off the flower buds because I prefer the foliage. The leaves seem to stop producing once it's flowered but some people love the flowers. It's your choice.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • ElferElfer Posts: 329
    Those are all big hostas reaching close to a meter wide but it will take them a few years to get there although not sure if they would reach their max size in a pot. I think there are a few member who grow them in pots so hopefully they will pop along and give you some advice. 
  • JacquimcmahonJacquimcmahon Posts: 1,039
    thanks everyone I think I read somewhere about takin out the flower spikes, probably why I asked. I’m really keen to get these going as my terrace is in shade all afternoon so a lot of flowers struggle. I love the lush look of hostas and that was why I bought these.
    Marne la vallée, basically just outside Paris 🇫🇷, but definitely Scottish at heart.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    well done on the road to Hosta Addiction. 
    I don't remove flowers . A: I've got too many, and B: the bees adore them. 
    Some are scented so it's a pity to remove them,although lots do. 
    A bit of research on the ultimate size will help. 
    Frances Williams does become big in a couple of years.
    There are some varieties with leaves the size of your thumb nail and some  over 1m long.
    Devon.
  • Fran IOMFran IOM Posts: 2,872
    @Hostafan1 I have always remembered, rightly I hope, you saying some time ago now that you leave the flowers so that when the leaves have died away you know where the plant was. I followed your advice and it helps.  :)
  • JacquimcmahonJacquimcmahon Posts: 1,039
    Hosta fan so it’s normal they are pretty small in the first year, I’ve not done anything drastically wrong? I’m probably just becoming a worried “mum” to my new babies.
    Marne la vallée, basically just outside Paris 🇫🇷, but definitely Scottish at heart.
  • ElferElfer Posts: 329
    Yes, it takes time for them to settle in and establish their roots.
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