PlantFiles: Hosta
Hosta 'Patriot'

It's 2011 and I have one of these left from when I ordered it from Van Bourgondien way back in 2002. I am not a big fan of this leaf style on hosta's but I do really like this one. The white is really striking in the shade and will admit it is probable the only one I like that grows in this fashion.

I have always been successful growing hostas in containers so last year I bought 2 of these for $8 each, planted them in gorgeous pots, and put them on my front porch on either side of the front door. They grew beautifully and I got lots of compliments. I was terribly disappointed this year when all my other hosta came back like usual but neither of these did. Both rotted in the pots. I may have done something wrong but I think I'll go back to using free hostas from friends.

I had this Hosta at my previous house in Tulsa, OK in a filtered shade garden. I dug starts of it and brought to my new house. I planted it by the pool where it is shaded by the privacy fence and many trees, until about 3 in the afternoon, then gets sun. The afternoon sun was still too much for it and it is faultering terribly. I'm going to move them to a shadier spot and see how they do. I think these will come back.

I do like this plant alot-- probley dosent grow as fast as i would like -- but i did recently divid it last year and mover it to a more perfeable location --- it seems to stay much smaller then other large hostas ive seen then again it just may given the time

I must admit I love hostas, I have 3 varities. I did have an interesting problem with some of them this year. I "think" because we had such a dry begining of the year that squirrels and chipmonks were eating them for water. I found no signs of a insect problem. I was baffeled as to what was getting them. When I begin to think maybe its was the critters, I put out a couple of bowls of water an they stoped getting eaten. I am still not completely sure that was the problem as I never saw what was getting them. I also like how hardy they are! Hubby placed 4 6" pots under a bench where they were forgotten and hidden over the winter, surprisingly, and very unusual for this zone (after a very cold winter, temps a low as -30 F and very deep frost line) 3 of the 4 pots survived! While the cold did stunt them by the first frost they were doing very well. Another benefit is, we have eves that allow nothing (even grass) to grow but, hosta's will send out horizontal roots to get water so, after they are established they will flourish with minimum care.

Am growing this hosta on a slope in the sun for 3/4 of the day. It does not seem to mind. Zone 7 (Switzerland)

I LOVE this Hosta! It is absolutely fabulous throughout the summer. I deadheaded mine and the foliage kept up great until heavy frost. Beautiful, beautiful en masse around tree bases or just in casually flowing shade borders. A favorite!

Patriot is an exceptional hosta to grow in the Midwest. It has such a good substance that in August, when most hostas look a little bedraggled, Patriot is still in good form. It makes a neat mound of tightly packed leaves. I don't have any problems with slugs or snails on Patriot (knock on wood!), although they have been a problem with other variegated cultivars during wet springs. Patriot is one of my "Top 10" hostas! Try it!

This hosta grows well, multiplies fairly quickly, too. It is easy to divide and mine, at least, likes lots of shade.

Hosta of the Year - named by the American Hosta Growers' Association - 1997.

Wonderful, reliable Hosta that does well in shade to morning sun, in ground as well as in large wooden barrel in which it survives our sometimes very cruel (zone 5 1/2-6) winters with no protection other than being in a sheltered corner in the garden & out of the severe wind. Prone to slug damage unfortunately as most Hosta are. I've tried everything from egg shells to grapefruit shells turned upside down to dishes of beer placed in the garden. The only deterent seems to be slug bait in the form of pellets. I'd rather not use this, but have had no luck with other methods. This Hosta is a wonderful stand-alone plant, but also looks lovely in a mixed bed with plants of contrasting foilage (dark colored leaves such as wine or purple & lime green foilage plants). Prefers a soil rich in compost such as sterilized, composted manure. Divides easily in the spring when plant is just emerging by 2 or 3 inches & should be divided every 4-6 years. If the centre of your Hosta begins to dry back, this is an indication that it's time to divide. Disgard the centre keeping the fresh, new growth around it's perimeter.

The plant starts out well, but stops all of a sudden.
Light green with white stripes. No problems of bugs eating the leaves. Hostas prefer shade, and ours grew by the house for a while.
If plant matures, it will be a beautiful silvery-green plant, with a tall, spikey trumpet-shaped purple flowers. (No problems flowering.)

Requires definite protection from snails and slugs, they'll chew it right down to the ground, given a chance.

A sport of Francee mound of white margined leaves very striking.