• NATURE ATTRACTION – Their flowers attract butterflies and songbirds.
Their leaves provide excellent coverage to prevent weeds. Once established,
they are relatively drought tolerant.
• KEY TIPS – Planted in partial sun they are slug resistant. Plant them in
groups, borders, under trees or as accent features in your garden. In early
spring, before they sprout, clean out all remnants of dried hosta foliage from
the previous season.
• SHELF LIFE – Plant into the garden as soon as the ground has thawed
enough to dig.
• GARDEN LOCATION – They like shade or partial sun. Dig a hole about 8-
10 inches deep and twice the width of the root ball. Space them 36 inches
apart. Plant them in groups, borders, under trees or as accent features in
your garden.
• PREPARATION - Discard any unattached pieces of old roots or leafy remnants
that may have occurred.
• DETERMINING THE BOTTOM OR TOP OF CLUMPS – These clumps have
roots radiating from a central point or crown. These fleshy roots should be
put into the soil facing downward.
• POTTED PLANTS – If planted in containers large tubs and pots are recommended.
• SOIL PREPARATION – If your soil is clayish amend it with a standard garden
soil for adequate drainage.
• PLANTING DEPTH and SPACING - Plant separately spacing at least 36
inches. Dig holes twice the width of the root ball and about 8-10 inches
deep. Place them in their holes. Cover with an inch or two of soil and pack
soil firmly around crown.
• SPROUTING TIME - In the garden, the clumps will sprout foliage when the
soil temperature rises sufficiently usually around late April to early May. It
takes a longer if the temperatures are still cold but success is still assured.
• WATER - Water thoroughly upon planting. They need at least one inch of
rainfall per week. If rain does not occur, water once or twice per week. Once
established they are relatively drought tolerant.
• BLOOMING- The sprays of nodding, funnel-shaped, often fragrant flowers
occur in mid-summer through late autumn. They are borne high above their
foliage on 2-3 foot scapes. Colors range from blue to lavender to lilac to
white.
• FERTILIZER – This helps encourage new leaf buds which form clumps of
new foliage. For best results, use Roberta’s Flower Magic Plant Food
(M7503) once a month after planting all summer long.
• LIGHTING –Partial sun or shade is acceptable.
• TEMPERATURE ZONE 3 to 10- When planted into the ground, they will
come up at the right time without worries of frost damage. They are winter
hardy to a negative 30 degrees below zero reproducing every year.
• WINTER DORMANCY – In the autumn, you may cut off any old growth.
Otherwise pull away old growth in the following spring by hand.
• PROPAGATING- They can be subdivided in late autumn or early spring
after 3-4 years. Just stick a shovel or trowel down between the clumps and
pull apart anywhere. They love it!
• CUT FLOWERS - If you want to cut your stems for a flower vase, cut the
entire stem length if desired.
• DEER RESISTANT – No. When deer do get a little nibble, do not worry. It
will not harm the plant as they begin to grow new leaf clumps immediately.
