dividing and moving Hostas - Ask Extension
I have some hostas coming up, looking very healthy. Do I need to divide them and if so, when? I am including pictures of those two.
I also have 26 ot...
Knowledgebase
dividing and moving Hostas #626724
Asked April 22, 2020, 10:09 PM EDT
I have some hostas coming up, looking very healthy. Do I need to divide them and if so, when? I am including pictures of those two.
I also have 26 other hostas that I planted in a hill under my maple tree 2 years ago. They are not doing so well in that location because they are being crowded out by some ground cover I planted that has taken over. If I dig them up now, can I store them or will I lose them all?
Lane County Oregon
Expert Response
Hostas can be divided any time of year. Spring is a good time because there's less foliage which gets in your way and may be damaged. Make sure each division has at least two or three buds and plenty of roots and plant it with the buds just below soil level.
(See "Growing Hostas" - https://lancaster.unl.edu/hort/articles/2003/hostas.shtml )
The signal to divide is basically up to the gardener, unless the clump is declining and/or losing vigor.
It's fine to move the hostas that aren't doing well under the tree but they will need to be re-planted within the next day or two. They won't survive if stored. If nothing else, put them in pots temporarily.
