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Hostas bare root for woodland garden

a1154a1154 Posts: 1,108
in Plants
I have about 4 hostas in my woodland garden, and I’d like loads more. I notice bare root plants are available, I have been looking at Parker’s, which has good prices. 
Is this a good way of buying hostas? Are they reliable from bare root? Any thoughts on types, please, I’m looking for good doers, big plants not tiny ones as I have lots of space to cover. 
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Posts

  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,527
    You are unlikely going to get big plants from bare root especially off parkers and the other more common market names, I don't like buying bare root personally they just seem to take longer to establish.  I would go to the garden centre and buy some large plants and divide them . Brunnera are excellent foliage plants I like to use them instead of hosta . I don't know where best for hosta online but I am sure someone will know. 
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    You will need to grow on bare root plants in pots, in my experience, until they are a bit more established and robust, but the potted ones, bought online may well turn out to be very small as well. Nurseries and garden centres selling large plants will charge accordingly.
    So I think it is a matter of time or money. If you want fast results you will pay high for them but if you can plant over two or three years you will be able to get a variety of types, grow them on and divide them for a fraction of the price.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    @Hostafan1 will know of good suppliers and be able to recommend varieties that will suit you. I’ve given him a nudge. 



    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    Sum and Substance can grow to a very large size if happy. 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I like Sum & Substance ... but to get the best colour it needs more sun than some people give it.  In shade it is just a rather ordinary green, but in sun it's a glorious acid golden green.  As long as it is in a damp spot it can take any almost amount of UK sun. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    I have that one and it's in full sun all day (hah chance would be a fine thing) and it's big and blowsy, gorgeous.
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • a1154a1154 Posts: 1,108
    edited December 2021
    I’m happy to get bare roots or small plants to pot on. I don’t need fast results, I was looking for big varieties though and ones that do well and look good in shade. 
    You still got the bike Perki? I have a tiger 900 now. 
  • UffUff Posts: 3,199
    There's very large, dark green, ribbed leaf one that does well in the woodland garden where I do volunteer work. If no one comes back with the variety I'll let you know as I'm doing a stint tomorrow. 
    SW SCOTLAND but born in Derbyshire
  • WilderbeastWilderbeast Posts: 1,415
    I've had some very good hostas from micklefield hostas, they were though unusual varieties and maybe not what you want. I also bought a large number of the bare root hostas from Jparkers sum and substance, Frances William and wide brim. I didn't pot them on as I had just too much to look after already and they weren't going to have too much competition, they have all done really well. I've found that the wide brim is more prone to slug attack and requires more shade 
  • a1154a1154 Posts: 1,108
    That’s useful, thanks wbeast.
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