If you have a garden with plenty of shady areas, you no doubt have Hostas somewhere. If not, why not? Hostas are fantastic, reliable perennials, with impressive foliage that thrive in shade gardens. There are thousands to choose from, with different colours, shapes and sizes.
Monoculture is the science of planting just one species or variety in a particular space. Everything is just the same, wherever you look.
Hostas are no different. Hostas look fabulous with their large, lush, colourful foliage planted in a border, side by side. Why not enhance your Hostas by planting alongside with other species.
Why not pair them up with other shade loving plants that love the similar conditions.
Why not use other plants, to show off your Hostas. Other plants have different foliage such as Ferns, or Heucheras. Planted within the group, these plants highlight your Hostas well.
We have talked about these in a previous blog.
This time I want to talk about grasses.
One of my favourite species to mix with Hosta planting, is grasses. There are many varieties of grasses, with lots of different attributes such as size and colour.
Having different plant species that are planted next to one another in the same soil, in such a way that they have added benefits including increased pollination, pest control or even improved aesthetics.
Additionally, this practice reduces the need to use harsh, artificial chemicals on your plants and instead relies on the natural advantages provided by the plants.
We know that Hostas are notoriously hardy and easy to care for, you may then be wondering why you should invest in growing other species alongside them.
Companion planting can provide a number of benefits to your Hostas.
Here are some of the main advantages....
Improves Biodiversity: Unlike monoculture when the same species of plant is grown in an area, companion planting is a form of polyculture. Having a large variety of plants will attract lots of different wildlife, many of which will be beneficial such as pollinators.
Increases Pollination: Pollinators are responsible for pollinating around 90% of our crop plants, highlighting their importance. Brightly coloured and highly scented flowers are most attractive to pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and birds.
Pest Control: Instead of using artificial pesticides, a lot of plant species naturally repel pests. These tend to be species that give off strong aromas or produce specific chemical compounds that deter insect pests.
Other plants attract predatory insects that prey on insect pests, helping to keep the population down. This is known as biological pest control.
Aesthetic Appeal: Mixed plant gardens are generally more attractive than a monoculture. Incorporating different plants into your display will create an array of different colours, shapes, and textures.
You can grow species that complement or contrast each other and make your garden visually interesting.
Hostas thrive when surrounded by complementary companion plants that provide aesthetic appeal and practical benefits.
Why not opt for good companions like ornamental grasses that provide contrasting foliage colours, textures, and blooms, making them perfect companions for Hostas.
Grasses fit the bill nicely. They will be as happy mixed with Hostas as they would out in the open sunny border on their own.
Ornamental grasses offer gardens an unparalleled combination of long-lasting form and colour, along with airy grace, charm, and movement. As well as attractive foliage, many ornamental grasses bear flowers in summer that last for months.
There's a superb range of ornamental grass varieties to grow, with compact types ideal for pots and raised beds, tall slender ones for use as screens or adding strong vertical elements in borders, and moisture-loving grasses for pond edges and boggy soil. While the different types have different growing requirements, most do best in a fertile soil in sun or part shade. Some ornamental grasses tolerate drought while a few require moisture retentive soil that doesn’t dry out.
Some are evergreen and invaluable for all year interest. Deciduous grasses die back in autumn yet still retain their form and structure for months, sometimes even right through winter.
Here are a few of my favourite grasses for planting with Hostas.
Carex oshimensis… This is a varied and useful group of perennial grasses that are mostly evergreen with coloured foliage. There’s a wide range of Carex species and varieties with leaf colours including gold or white-variegated foliage, olive-green and bronze. Most require reasonably fertile soil that doesn’t dry out while some need moist soil.
Festuca glauca…. This compact, mound-forming evergreen perennial grass has beautiful silvery blue leaves, complemented by short green flower spikes that gradually fade to straw-brown. Grow it in a gravel garden or container in full sun.
Hakenochloa… This popular perennial grass forms a mound of arching, striped green and yellow leaves in spring, maturing to greeny-gold in summer before dying back to parchment-brown in winter. Perfect for pots and the edges of raised beds.
Imperata cylindrica … This deciduous perennial grass has striking leaves topped with blood-red, the colouring developing on the tips and spreading down the green stem. Grow in full sun or light shade, in rich, moisture retentive soil. In cold areas, protect with a thick winter mulch.
Ophiopogon planiscapus Nigrescens .. Ground-covering evergreen perennial that spreads to form many little clumps of slender leaves. Black-leaved varieties are most widely grown for their dramatic impact. Short stems of purplish-white flowers are followed by blue-black berries. Not actually a true grass but is usually sold along with ornamental grasses due to its appearance.
Stipa tenuissima …. bears plumes of silvery flowers over pale green foliage. This sedge is best planted in groups or drifts to add movement to a gravel garden or mixed Hosta border.
These are just a few of the massive range of grasses there are to choose from.
To Sum Up
There are many shade loving plants that make good Hosta companions. Choosing the right ones to plant next to your Hostas can really brighten up your garden.
With Hostas in your garden, you’ll enjoy beautiful shade plants and create an oasis of colour and contrast, from Spring to Autumn. With the grasses, the season is now all year round.
To learn more about Hostas, you may be interested in reading : How to care for your Hostas Over Winter, What Are the Common Mistakes to Avoid When Growing Hostas?, Ways to Protect Your Hostas from Slugs and Snails and "Uncovering the Advantages of Bare Root Hostas
Shop for Hostas HERE PS Don't forget to use your 20% Early Bird discount code EARLY20
John Plant
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