Hosta Identification Help - Ask Extension
Hello,
We have a hosts in the front of our house and it is about 5 years old now. We don’t know what type of hosta it is and are worried it may ge...
Knowledgebase
Hosta Identification Help #870015
Asked May 24, 2024, 9:23 PM EDT
Hello,
We have a hosts in the front of our house and it is about 5 years old now. We don’t know what type of hosta it is and are worried it may get too big for this spot and grow into the side walk, as it continues to grow larger each year. Can you help us to identify it? Also, if we need to relocate the hosta, what is the best way to do it so we do not ruin the plant? We love it so much and would love to keep it!
Jefferson County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Elaine -
Thanks for contacting us. You are lucky and talented to be growing hostas so well! I have killed dozens over the years and finally gave up - they are very difficult to grow here because of the dry, clayey soil and low humidity, so well done!
There are many varieties, and we don't have a good resource for identifying a specific one. If you Google "Hosta varieties" you'll come up with a few commercial websites that either sell them or other garden products.
Have you considered dividing the plant instead of relocating it completely? This would allow you to leave a good portion of the plant undisturbed while removing a section that you could plant somewhere else. This gives you a backup if one or the other doesn't like the disturbance. I'm attaching CSU's only Fact sheet on growing Hostas which doesn't talk about dividing, and also a Fact Sheet from South Dakota Extension that has more information.
https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/annuals-perennials/1033-hosta/
https://extension.sdstate.edu/hosta-shade-loving-perennial
Good luck, and please let us know if you have further questions.
Jeffco Volunteer Diagnostician Annette
Thanks for contacting us. You are lucky and talented to be growing hostas so well! I have killed dozens over the years and finally gave up - they are very difficult to grow here because of the dry, clayey soil and low humidity, so well done!
There are many varieties, and we don't have a good resource for identifying a specific one. If you Google "Hosta varieties" you'll come up with a few commercial websites that either sell them or other garden products.
Have you considered dividing the plant instead of relocating it completely? This would allow you to leave a good portion of the plant undisturbed while removing a section that you could plant somewhere else. This gives you a backup if one or the other doesn't like the disturbance. I'm attaching CSU's only Fact sheet on growing Hostas which doesn't talk about dividing, and also a Fact Sheet from South Dakota Extension that has more information.
https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/annuals-perennials/1033-hosta/
https://extension.sdstate.edu/hosta-shade-loving-perennial
Good luck, and please let us know if you have further questions.
Jeffco Volunteer Diagnostician Annette
