[Briony]

Can anyone give me some advice on Hostas please what type of soil they like where they like to be planted etc I do like them and only have 1 at present which is in a pot but would like some more.

Many thanks,

[celjaci]

Hostas are very obliging plants and will grow almost anywhere and in most soils.
They are usually reccomended for shade although most ( except the gold ones ) will do equally well in full sun. They tend to flower more in full sun but produce bigger, lusher leaves in damp shade
They are fairly 'hungry' plants and appreciate a mulch of well rotted manure

There are hundreds of varieties  with new ones each year if you are a collector

The main problem they have is slugs and snails if you have a lot of these it will be a continual battle and you would be better to go for the coloured leaved Heucheras

[Trillium]

The newer varieties are bred to be more slug resistant by way of thicker leaves which slugs don't like, so ask your supplier if the hosta you're interested in is one of them. Older, cheaper varieties have thinner leaves which slugs love.
People think hostas don't need much water, but they do need a bit of regular watering. I used to work in the display gardens of a big hosta garden centre and believe me, watering and weeding the hundreds of them was no easy task. A few will be a piece of cake 

[tillytup]

my hosta is lovely, until after a month when the slugs have made it look like lace

[SnooziSuzi]

I put hostas in my shaded area of front garden last year and there's no sign of them this year... I paid a fortune for them too 

never mind, I'm hoping the aqueligia will brighten up the dark corner!

[celjaci]

I put hostas in my shaded area of front garden last year and there's no sign of them this year... I paid a fortune for them too 

Hosta do die down completely over winter but they are very tough.
Don't give up just yet, some are only just starting to shoot. You could try having a gentle scrape/poke  around where the plant was you might see fat shoots just under the surface

[love-my-plot]

Mine are in pots so I can move them about. As has been said, slugs are their
biggest enemy  Last year I managed to have slug-free plants by using that copper tape. Mine are just beginning to poke through the soil in the last few days, so early days yet.  I just remove some of the soil in the pots, each year, and top up with fresh compost with chicken manure mixed in.

[sunshineband]

I put hostas in my shaded area of front garden last year and there's no sign of them this year... I paid a fortune for them too 

never mind, I'm hoping the aqueligia will brighten up the dark corner!

As you live in Durham they may be abit later then mine, and they came up about a week ago.. all might be well 

[Bombers]

Yep, mine are only just poking there little heads up.  :happy:

[Trillium]

My hostas are about the last thing to poke through so as said, be patient. They depend on frost free weather to grow and are smart enough to wait until it shows up.

[cant grow owt]

mine are just popping through now, I always keep mine in pots, dont know why but they seem to grow better.

[FRUITFULL]

Mine are poking through and by gum the snails arent getting a look in this year