This video may help you create your very own Hosta Woodland Garden.

Hostas are one of the most sought after perennial plant for part sun to shade areas. So what is so great about Hostas? Well Hostas are a pretty care free perennial , with a few exceptions. With thousands of varieties out there today what are the best well not sure there is any that are considered the best, but there is a list of many favorites . To name a few Patriot Hosta, Blue Angel Hosta, Striptease and many more.

One thing many question is when is a good time to dividing hostas.. My personal preference is in the spring in your area when the hostas are first popping out of the ground.. The easiest time to split and divide. However, many divide them throughout the season with success but pay attention to your weather and moisture.

A few years ago the Hosta virus X was indicated in some varieties. This was a major concern for many hosta gardeners and growers. Make sure when splitting to use a 10 percent bleach solution to clean your tools when splitting several different varieties. Many hosta growers are now taking special care to prevent this from happening and spreading.

Hostas really only have a few insect problems , when in a damp area or long periods of rain, slugs and snails can destroy hostas and make them cosmetically ugly.. There is many natural remedies for these little pests to help control the infestations.

Plant Hostas in a well drained sun to shade area. The type of light will really depend on your area and your heat.. Hostas can look very different in appearance when exposed to different areas of lighting. Hostas also love moisture when long periods of dry spell make sure you water them. Water in the morning so you have the day for them to dry off so you can prevent slug and snail damage.

Hostas look beautiful throughout the season, you can combine many other perennials with hostas such as heuchera, ferns, astilbe, foxglove and many more.

Hostas also look nice with annual flowers such as impatiens, coleus, lobelia, these are a few examples.

Enjoy your Hostas growing, they are such a joy to have in your landscape.

Caladiums are grown for their beautiful foliage color.

Caladiums standout  in shade gardens with their large, pointed arrow-shaped leaves splashed with shades of green, white, cream, pink and red.

They are considered a tropical plant, meaning they like to live in a warm climate area.

To get a head start in spring , start your tubers inside in a warm area 4-6 weeks before you last frost date , they do well with bottom heat and will take a few weeks to show signs of growth.

Wait until the soil warms  to around 6o degrees outdoors before planting your Caladiums.

You will enjoy foliage color all summer, mix them with Hostas, Ferns, shade loving plants.

To be used in containers or planted directly in the ground.

If planted in the ground they must be dug before a killing frost, you will know when they are stressed if they seem wilted and droopy from the cold. After you dig them , find a box or storage container of some sort , add some peat moss , cut the leaves down to the growing point and place in the container . Check them in the winter months not letting  the soil completely dry out , as the bulb will shivel up.

Containers can be brought in and place in a cool area to winter .  You can leave them in the containers, keep them on the dry side but do not let the soil completely dry out.. Don’t let the temperature get below 55 degrees, keep and eye on them over the winter months.

If you are fortunate and bring the container in before cold weather comes, then try your hand and use them as a houseplant. Inspect for bugs and place by a window for the winter months.

When spring arrives the following year, divide the tubers and place them in individual pots , place in pots that have a peat /perlite mix soil and plant  about 2 inches deep,  cover with soil , keep moist and keep them warm and wait for growth to appear.

Caladiums  Are hardy in Zones 9 – 11 , otherwise plant as a annual .

Grows 18 -24″ H, (Dwarf varieties 8 -12″), Width varies with cultivar and age

Suggested Varieties:

Caladiums do require some Maintenance:

Winter Care in Cold Zones: If grown outdoors in a cold climate, they can be considered annuals or you will need to dig and store the tubers over winter. Do not wait for them to be hit by frost.

Division: You can divide your Caladium tubers in the spring, to create more plants. Cut the tuber into sections that each contain at least one eye or knob and pot or plant as normal.

Houseplant Care: When growing Caladiums as houseplants, water whenever the soil feels dry and feed monthly. Begin watering less in autumn, as plants naturally stop growing.

Problems: Although Caladiums are carefree growers, they can be subject to the following problems if growing conditions are not ideal: tuber rot (especially if planted outdoors in cold, wet soil), Southern blight, leaf spot and root-knot nematodes. Indoor Plants: aphids and spider mites.

Parts of this article was courtesy of

What have been your results growing Caladiums, post a comment below , I’d love to hear from you.:)

Every year the American Hosta Growers Association chooses a Hosta of the Year.

Each year everyone is eager to go out and purchase this hosta because of it’s notoriety.

The hosta of the year is special and is recognized throughout the gardening industry, why wouldn’t you want to add this variety to your hosta collection.

The 2011 Hosta of the Year is Praying Hands, special regards to breeder Jerry Williams for bringing us this very unique unusual hosta variety.

Many hostas have names and can be included in your landscape for a variety of reasons and causes, just because of name sake and here is one example.

Praying Hands Hosta makes for a great plant to grow in memorial gardens, a special garden where you are honoring either a special loved one, a pet, etc.

Praying Hands hosta is a small curled leaved hosta with a touch of white to goldest edging, very unique and unusual attributes that some say doesn’t even look like a hosta, but if you are looking for a smaller hosta this may be one for you to add to your hosta collection.

Let’s talk more on the attributes of this unique, much sought after Hosta

Praying Hands has twisted, folded, wavy and narrow leaves that grow upward in a vase-like fashion that resemble hands folded in prayer.

Since this Hosta is in smaller nature, it will do great in container gardening. Grows to a height of just 14 inches, scape height to 18 inches and a spread of 18 inches.

Praying Hands Hosta grows in Zone 3,4,5,6,7,8,9 Blooms purple shade flowers in Late Summer. It’s growth rate is rated as a medium grower.

To grow the very best hostas, plant in shade to part shade area, not recommended is hot afternoon sun and grow where the soil is dark and a extra touch of enriched with organic matter never hurts.

Hosta’s are relatively easy to grow and will reward you year after year with an abundance of new growth.

In closing, Praying Hands Hosta is a must for anyone’s Hosta collection.

Happy Gardening