Do Hosta Plants Have Flowers?
Yes, hosta plants do have flowers. In fact, every hosta plant grows flowers, although not all of them are a welcome sight to gardeners. Many gardeners choose hostas for their shade gardens because of their lush foliage, not their flowers.
Flowers on Hosta Plants
Hosta plants typically flower in the summer, producing spikes of blossoms that resemble lilies. The bell-shaped blooms come in shades of lavender or white and can be quite showy and fragrant, attracting hummingbirds and bees. Some newer cultivars even offer larger, more impressive blooms, with up to 75 flowers per stem.
Should You Let Hosta Grow Flowers?
Whether or not to allow your hosta plants to grow flowers is a matter of personal taste. Some gardeners prefer the pure foliage of hostas, while others enjoy the added ornamental value of the blooms. The decision may also depend on the quality of the blossoms your hosta plant produces. Some hostas have tall, elegant flower scapes, while others have short, stunted scapes, especially in white-flowered varieties.
Hosta Foliage
Hosta plants are known for their gorgeous, overlapping leaves, which come in a wide range of colors, shapes, and textures. Standard green hostas are common, but there are also varieties with blue, white, and gold leaves. The size of hosta plants can also vary greatly, from the tiny “Baby Bunting” cultivar, which reaches only a few inches in width, to the massive “Blue Angel” cultivar, which can grow over 8 feet in diameter.
Faded Hosta Flowers
Regardless of whether you choose to let your hostas bloom, it’s important to clip the flower scapes once the blossoms have faded. Faded hosta flowers are not attractive and can detract from the beauty of the plant.
Tips for Growing Hosta Flowers
If you do want your hostas to flower, there are a few things you can do to encourage them:
- Choose a hosta cultivar that is known for its showy blooms.
- Plant your hostas in a location that receives plenty of sunlight.
- Water your hostas regularly, especially during dry spells.
- Fertilize your hostas in the spring with a balanced fertilizer.
- Deadhead the spent blooms to encourage new growth and flowering.
Conclusion
Whether you enjoy the flowers on your hosta plants or prefer the pure foliage, these versatile plants are a beautiful and easy-to-grow addition to any shade garden.
