Melinda’s Garden Moments is heard Mon.-Fri. at 7:45 and 10:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. on WHAV.
You don’t have to sacrifice beauty for low maintenance. Instead include hosta varieties available in a myriad of leaf shapes, sizes and color combinations. These mainstays of the shade garden are hardy, reliable and provide added beauty to the landscape from spring through fall.
You’ll find bright green, blue-green to gold leaves. Some will have stripes or splashes of white, cream or gold. The leaves may be smooth, strongly veined or even puckered and can be heart-shaped, long and narrow or cupped. And a few of the newer varieties have red stems to add to the colorful display. Watch as the leaves turn yellow in fall adding new color to the garden.
Enjoy the white or lavender flowers that appear in mid- summer or fall. Some are fragrant and all attract hummingbirds and bees. Leave a few of the seedpods on the plants for the juncos to enjoy.
A bit more information: You can find hostas in a variety of sizes from 6 to 60 inches tall by 5 to 72 inches. Grow them in rich moist soil in part to full shade. You’ll get the best color in dappled or filtered light.
For more gardening tips, how-to garden videos, podcasts and more, visit www.melindamyers.com.