the patch under my magnolia tree is looking very bare, just covered in weeds. Although I've planted lots of snowdrops for the spring I thought small Hostas would like it in the shade there in the summer. What do you all think?
Thanks. i've had Hostas before and they can get quite huge. But thought I'd try and get some of the tiny ones like Blue Ears. I think the magnolia may take up too much moisture but still, I'll plant a couple and see how they do. Any other suggestions of plants that would grow there?
Hard to tell just how big a space you have but if it's reasonable, white Dicentra (as long as there's some moisture) and white hardy geraniums will be happy. That'll brighten the spot from spring through summer, following your Magnolia's flowers.
White is great for brightening up shady areas.
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I have 3 hostas (one green, one 'blue' and one variegated) that never get slugs. They are in the shade of a north-facing fence and an east-facing lilac/fence. Behind this east-facing fence is a 'heritage hedge' - a line of trees (field maple, hawthorn, hornbeam, etc.) and thus the ground is always dry. Therefore, the only water they get are what I give them and I find a good water twice a week, even in the hottest weather, keeps them alert and slug free. Such a difference to my last garden, where evening forays would be necessary even though I had grapefruit halves with a little beer in them all behind the plants!
I find that hostas and snowdrops do very well together in my garden as they enjoy similar conditions. Hostas can cope with being a bit dryer if they are in the shade and Snowdrops do not like to dry out in the summer so by watering the hostas the snowdrops get watered too. The snow drops come up first and by the time the hostas are unfurling their leaves the snowdrops are over and the hostas take over as the snowdrop leaves start to look untidy. if I plant snowdrops around each hosta I can see where they will eventually come up and keep and eye out for slugs and snails at that critical starting point in order that I can deal with or take steps to prevent attacks. Just try to pick a suitable size of hosta - as you said small ones - and of course ones with thicker leaves are less prone to slug damage I find. Solomon's Seal comes up about the same time as hosta's in my garden so they may be worth trying too or possibly a deciduous fern, (to fit in with the existing snowdrops) many with the name 'dryopteris' can cope with dryer conditions so will perform similarly to the hosta as would a dicentra.
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I've got a flowerbed that spends nearly all day in the shade, the hostas love it there!
They were all tiny little plants less than two years ago.
As Phillipa said, they do like plenty of water, so if under the tree it would be worth checking they get enough during drier spells.
Worth remembering they don't stay small for long. Mine are a couple of feet across and I don't think that's huge.
As long as there is enough moisture I think they would look lovely in that wee spot.
Thanks. i've had Hostas before and they can get quite huge. But thought I'd try and get some of the tiny ones like Blue Ears. I think the magnolia may take up too much moisture but still, I'll plant a couple and see how they do. Any other suggestions of plants that would grow there?
Hard to tell just how big a space you have but if it's reasonable, white Dicentra (as long as there's some moisture) and white hardy geraniums will be happy. That'll brighten the spot from spring through summer, following your Magnolia's flowers.
White is great for brightening up shady areas.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Lily of the valley, Solomon's seal, sarcococcus, skimmia (miniature) - they'd all work well if you want white.
So what's the secret to having a bed full of perfect hostas ? Where are your slugs and snails, why don't the leaves resemble shredded lettuce ?
I have 3 hostas (one green, one 'blue' and one variegated) that never get slugs. They are in the shade of a north-facing fence and an east-facing lilac/fence. Behind this east-facing fence is a 'heritage hedge' - a line of trees (field maple, hawthorn, hornbeam, etc.) and thus the ground is always dry. Therefore, the only water they get are what I give them and I find a good water twice a week, even in the hottest weather, keeps them alert and slug free. Such a difference to my last garden, where evening forays would be necessary even though I had grapefruit halves with a little beer in them all behind the plants!
I find that hostas and snowdrops do very well together in my garden as they enjoy similar conditions. Hostas can cope with being a bit dryer if they are in the shade and Snowdrops do not like to dry out in the summer so by watering the hostas the snowdrops get watered too. The snow drops come up first and by the time the hostas are unfurling their leaves the snowdrops are over and the hostas take over as the snowdrop leaves start to look untidy. if I plant snowdrops around each hosta I can see where they will eventually come up and keep and eye out for slugs and snails at that critical starting point in order that I can deal with or take steps to prevent attacks. Just try to pick a suitable size of hosta - as you said small ones - and of course ones with thicker leaves are less prone to slug damage I find. Solomon's Seal comes up about the same time as hosta's in my garden so they may be worth trying too or possibly a deciduous fern, (to fit in with the existing snowdrops) many with the name 'dryopteris' can cope with dryer conditions so will perform similarly to the hosta as would a dicentra.