Cold Hardy Hostas Best Hosta Plants For Zone 4 Gardens

Zone 4 Hostas

'Big Mama' (Blue)
'Titanic' (Chartreuse-green with golden borders)
'Komodo Dragon' (Dark green)
'Humpback Whale' (Blue-green)

Are hostas cold tolerant?

Hosta Cold Tolerance

(10 C.) at night. Hostas in winter go into a kind of stasis and this temperature dip is a signal to the plant to become dormant until temperatures warm in the spring. All hostas thrive when subjected to freezing or near freezing temperatures during their dormant phase.

What temperature is too cold for hostas?

Hostas (Hosta spp.) are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 to 9. They can survive winter temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit when planted in the ground.

What is the most fragrant hosta?

Hostas with Fragrant Flowers

Fragrant Blue grows about 10 to 12 inches tall. ...
The broad leaves of Fragrant Bouquet are apple-green with wide, irregular, light yellow margins. ...
Fragrant Gold is a gold-leaved hosta. ...
A sport of Hosta plantaginea, Heaven Scent has light green leaves with wide, gold margins.

What Hostas can tolerate full sun?

Other fragrant varieties of hostas for sun include Hosta 'Ambrosia' and Hosta 'Fried Green Tomatoes. ' Hostas for sun also feature many varieties with gold or yellow tone leaves. These lighter colored hostas do tend to burn in full sun, so plan to provide protection from the hottest afternoon sun.

Will a freeze kill hostas?

A very late frost or freeze can damage the young leaves of some ornamental trees. ... If hosta leaves are partially open these can also exhibit frost damage. The plants may not look as nice as you would like all summer, but the cold won't actually kill any of them.

Will hostas recover from a freeze?

This kind of spring weather is so hard on the plants! In the aftermath there is not a lot you can do except wait and see. On perennials such as hosta, cold damaged leaves will be very soft and droopy or mushy and flat. ...

Should hostas be cut back for winter?

Hostas should be cut back in late fall. Healthy hosta leaves can be left on in the early fall to help the roots store much-needed energy, but all leaves should be trimmed off after the first frost to deter slugs and other pests from making your plant a winter home. Try to have the leaves removed prior to snowfall.

How late can I plant hostas?

Plant hosta from early spring to late summer, up to 30 days before the first frost in fall. Be sure to give the plants a wide berth — 1 to 3 feet in between plants. Hosta prefer well-drained soil that is slightly acidic; be sure to work plenty of organic matter into the bed.

Why do hostas turn yellow?

When you see hosta plant leaves turning yellow because of too much sun, it is termed hosta scorch. Hosta scorch is even more pronounced if the plant is also grown in poor soil. The plant prefers soil rich in organic matter that will hold water.

What part of the hosta is poisonous?

Take Saponin Toxicity and Dogs Seriously

The hosta's long, waxy leaves may have been the original attraction to your pet, but the entire plant – the stem, the bulb and the white, trumpet-shaped flowers – poses a danger to animals because it contains a substance called saponin, DoggySaurus says.

Are hostas and plantain lilies the same?

Plantain Lily, Funkia (Hosta) Ridiculously easy-to-grow and long-lived, Hostas (Plantain Lilies) are shade-loving perennials that are highly prized by gardeners for their elegance and attractive foliage.

Which Hostas have white flowers?

'Aphrodite' Hosta - has very fragrant 6" double white blooms; needs sun to flower.

How many hours of sun can hostas tolerate?

Hostas for Full Sun

In general, yellow or gold hostas tolerate partially sunny location without losing their vibrant yellow color. About two hours of daily sun exposure will keep these yellow or golden beauties looking their best. Aim for morning sun to avoid burned leaves.

Where is the best place to plant hostas?

To plant hostas, select a spot that receives partial to full shade. Most types of hostas can withstand morning sun but prefer a shady setting. It's important to know that these perennials grow best in soil that's fertile and full of organic matter.

Do hostas multiply?

Versatile and easy to grow, most hosta varieties spread readily once they are established. They grow from rhizomes that spread just below soil level, and healthy clumps of hostas can be divided into smaller clumps every few years to share with friends, family and neighbors.

How do you encourage hostas to grow?

To encourage hosta growth, you have to strike the correct balance between shade and sun. Almost all hosta species like to have bright shade. Even sun-tolerant hostas do not grow well in direct sunlight, especially if they're growing in direct afternoon sun. You want to give your hostas partial to dapple shade.

Do hostas do well in pots?

Hostas are among those perennials that do very well growing in the confines of containers. They come in thousands of cultivars and they are easy to care for, making them the perfect plant for busy or distracted gardeners. ... But any size hosta can be grown in a container.

Should hostas be cut back in fall?

In autumn, hosta leaves turn shades of yellow and gold, then fade. This is the beginning of the plant's dormant season, so you won't see any more pretty foliage until spring. ... Trim back all the leaves and foliage at ground level, then bag it up and dispose of it.

Are hostas winter hardy?

Most hosta varieties are winter hardy in USDA Zones 3-9 – that means they grow well in gardens from Canada to Northern Florida. ... But you can still enjoy hostas as annuals and add them to your garden each spring.

Can you plant hostas in fall?

Most gardeners tackle planting hostas in the spring or fall. ... The trick with fall-planted hostas is timing. Aim to be planting hostas several weeks before the soil freezes. This gives plants plenty of time to sink roots before harsh weather arrives.

Will Frost kill lilies?

Frost damage on lilies is rarely a problem, as most daylilies are hardy and quite tolerant of cold weather. While daylilies can usually recover quickly from a hard freeze, a late spring cold snap may set tender daylily growth back for a few days.