To Hosta, or Not to Hosta? That Is the Question

When I tell mass I populate on a wooded 5 - acre mess with a resident universe of deerandthat I grow Funka , they assume I ’m lie . I ’m not .

Just because you have a cervid problem does n’t mean you ’ll have a genus Funka problem . Yes , those turgid , leafy perennials are select rib for cervid . But there are manoeuvre to protect hostas that actually work . And no , I ’m not blab about travelling bag of discarded hair from the salon or strategically placed shavings of Irish Spring soap . Let ’s be frank — most impediment like that do n’t work . stop . And while there are some product on the grocery store that do , they usually require reapplication every meter it rain down or a heavy dew washes away the spray or powder . I do n’t have the clip or patience for all of that .

So what ’s my secret to luscious hostas in deer state ? Plant arrangement . We ’re all accustomed to take heed “ veracious works , right situation ” when it comes to locate things in our garden establish on conditions . But the same is dead on target for “ hiding ” hostas from deer . For example , I have a funny nook against my house foundation that is blocked on one side by a pack of cards and on another side by a solidifying of propane tank car . That imply there ’s one narrow-minded opening into the bottom , and it ’s by a engaged seating area . And that is where some of my genus Hosta have endure happily for 10 years .

I realize it sounds uttermost to geo - map your property to name a golden spot for one plant . But it ’s really just taking a practice you already do whenplanting ( remember trying to find theperfectlocation for that pricey dwarf coniferous tree ? ) and applying it a routine more intensely to hostas . I sleep together I ’m not alone in this approach . In my 15 years withFine Gardening , I ’ve suffer dozens of gardeners around North America who employ the same tactics . My favorite taradiddle is of a gardener in Washington who put her genus Funka in pots and moved them around the garden randomly , convince that she was confusing the deer , since their dinner party was never in the same berth for long . Maybe she was right , maybe it was portion — who am I to decide ?

The point is , if you desire genus Funka in your garden , you may have them — but you may need to work out a little strong to keep them . I think this stalwart perennial is deserving the effort . If you need convincing , just look at the beautiful garden of Delphia Johnstone ( How to Use Hostas in a Garden Design ) and read about the strategy she take to protect her favourite genus . If Delphia can create that gorgeous space in an domain fill with hosta foe , anything is possible ( although you might need to invest in a pair of slug slicer and develop a strong stomach ) .

— Danielle Sherry , executive editor

Issue # 205

GPOD on the Road: A Hosta Lover’s Garden

A Hosta Lover’s Garden

What’s Wrong with My Hosta?

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