Hosta collection (2 + 1 FREE collections | 9 bare roots)

A collection of variegated and textured leaved hosta woodland perennials. Position: partial or full shade Soil: moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil Rate of growth: fast Flowering period: July to August Hardiness: fully hardy Add striking texture and bold colour to your garden with this wonderful collection of hostas, featuring heart-shaped and textured leaves in shades of creamy-yellow variegation, grey-blue, and olive-green splashed with marginal white. Perfect for partially shaded borders or woodland edges, these hardy plants thrive in moist, well-drained soil and offer season-long interest with with stunning foliage and delicate summer flowers. In each collection you will receive 3 bare root hosta plants - one of each of the following: Hosta fortunei var. albopicta: Slender, heart-shaped, creamy-yellow leaves with dark green margins and spikes of funnel-shaped, mauve summer flowers. The margins of this vigorous, yellow-leaved hosta gradually fade to mid-green. Best in full sun with shade at midday and protection from cold winds, it makes a great groundcover plant for a moist, well-drained border. Grows to 90cm. Hosta sieboldiana var. elegans: Huge, sculptural, corrugated grey-blue leaves are topped with spikes of trumpet-shaped flowers of the palest lilac in July and August. When the plant has finished flowering, the seed pods split into tiny, star-like segments. The striking leaves of this plantain lily make a dramatic full stop at a woodland edge, where they contrast beautifully with ferns and other foliage plants. Once established, its layers of leaves will suppress weeds, too. Grows to 100cm. Hosta 'Francee' (fortunei): A smart hosta, with heart-shaped, olive-green, puckered leaves beautifully offset by neat white margins. Spikes of trumpet-shaped, lavender-blue flowers appear in July and August and, provided they are protected from slug and snail damage, the leaves retain their freshness until the end of September. This pretty plantain makes a statement on its own in a large container, or try it as a bright full stop in a shady area under deciduous trees. Grows to 55cm. Garden care: You'll get thicker, lusher leaves if you give your hostas a really good feed. An annual mulch in spring or autumn will help to keep the weeds down and is an easy way to improve soil and boost nutrient levels. Add a generous mulch of about 5-10cm (2-4in) deep of garden compost or leaf mould around the plant. Spraying the leaves regularly with a high nitrogen fertiliser during the growing season will also help to boost leaf size. Slugs and snails love hostas, so you will need to protect against them. Use an organic nematode treatment in early spring to ward off slugs. Or simply stick to a container. Water your hostas well as soon as you plant them and from then on water regularly during their first growing season. Give them a water about once or twice a week around the base of the plant, avoiding the leaves. Little and often can be disastrous as it encourages the plant to produce roots closer to the surface in a desperate quest for moisture.