Are you in the process of designing your dream garden? One great option for adding greenery to any outdoor space is the hosta. These large, lush perennials are easy to care for, surprisingly forgiving, and full of potential.

With a wide variety of species to choose from, you can find hostas capable of thriving in any landscape. While darker-colored hostas are usually shade lovers, those with lighter-colored foliage can grow well with a little more sunlight.

Discover fun ways to incorporate these popular plants into your garden, and get started with your garden planning today!

Line a Path or Walkway

Walking paths are a landscaping element that is often overlooked, but with a little creativity, they can add a dramatic touch to any space. You can line the sides of your walk with large garden areas that stretch the span of the pathway or create smaller gardens sporadically along the walkway.

Hostas are a great way to fill the space without too much effort on your part due to their large size and the fact that they are low-maintenance. Combine different hosta varieties to add dimension or pair your hostas with other plants and garden elements to build your dream garden space.

Create a Garden Seating Area

If you want to enjoy all your hard work in creating a beautiful garden, why not add a seating area? It is the perfect place to relax and enjoy your morning coffee or enjoy a good book. You can set up your space with a simple bistro set or a couple of lounge chairs or, if space allows, expand on this idea by creating a full dining area for your and your loved ones to enjoy.

The large varieties of hosta are a great way to create a surrounding garden that makes a statement and won’t be hidden by the addition of furniture to your outdoor space.

Combine Several Hosta Varieties

If you’re a true lover of hostas, why settle for anything less when designing your garden? With over 3000 registered varieties of hostas to choose from, you can create a stunning garden space using nothing but hostas. Try combining different colors, textures, and sizes of hostas. 

If you’re unsure of where to put the options to create the best overall effect, consider using a garden design app to plot everything out in advance. It will allow you to get creative without committing to a specific garden layout or creating extra work for yourself as you change it up later.

Incorporate a Fountain or Pond

Another great element that you can incorporate into your garden space is a fountain or pond. Your choice of a water feature should reflect your style. However, take also into consideration the space that you’re working with. For example, a small garden may only allow for a narrow water wall or a pedestal fountain with a couple of hostas around the base.

On the other hand, if you have the space, a large pond with koi fish and hostas around the perimeter is a great way to transform a space and make a statement.

Frame Out a Tree

If you have a large tree in your yard, you have the perfect opportunity to incorporate a small garden into the space. Clear a small area around the tree, adding your choice of mulch to coordinate with the rest of your outdoor décor. Hostas are a great choice to plant along the trunk as their larger size isn’t overshadowed by the tree, making their statement in the space.

If you want to extend the garden space further, you can add shepherd’s hooks for hanging flower baskets or plant colorful flowers around the hostas in the garden bed itself.

Mix Hostas with Partner Plants

Partner plants are complementary plants that benefit one another when planted close together. For example, if you plant a larger hosta in your garden, it will create a patch of shade. It could be the ideal growing area for a smaller ground plant that thrives in the shade.

In addition to the gardening benefits that these plants can offer, there are also decorative elements. Mix and match colors, sizes, and styles of plants to design a stunning outdoor garden that will draw compliments from your loved ones.

Plant a Container Garden

When thinking about the hosta, most people instantly think about the larger varieties and the space they will require. But don’t allow a smaller outdoor area to stop you from embracing this beautiful plant. There are several smaller varieties available that will thrive with a container gardening arrangement, making it easy to add hostas to your apartment balcony, backyard patio, or small yard.

One popular hosta that will work well in this environment is the “Blue Mouse Ears”. This blue-green hosta only grows to a height of approximately 8 inches. It can be planted alone in a smaller pot or combined with other plants in a larger planter.

Create a Hosta Garden Barrier

This design is best suited for smaller hosta plants that aren’t going to grow too tall. A good example would be the “Lakeside Down Sized”, which features narrow leaves that grow in a dense mound without extending too tall. Create an alternative garden fence or edging made solely from live plants by planting a line of hostas. 

You can stick with a single variety for a solid block of color or try combing two or three different hosta types to add a little variation. Just pay careful attention to how tall the types you choose will grow to avoid blocking your entire garden from view.

Include a Decorative Focal Point

If you feel that the greens and whites of your hostas aren’t making enough of a statement in your garden space, consider adding a decorative accent of some form. It could be a large rock, a birdbath, a garden statue, or a solar light.

Whatever it is, choose something large enough that it can make itself seen over the height of your chosen hostas. Remember, many larger varieties will grow up to 3 feet tall.

Get Creative with Your Hosta Garden This Season

Whether you’re looking for a way to make a dramatic statement with your garden or simply trying to incorporate a little greenery into your outdoor seating area, hostas are a great option. Before getting started on your garden design, take some time to discover the different varieties suited to your space.

You can fill the smaller spaces or fill out your garden planters using the mini hosta varieties. On the other end of the spectrum, larger hostas are a great way to fill space with minimal effort.

Design your dream garden with these hardy, low-maintenance plants, and you won’t regret it!