Hostas for sun

“Hostas for sun” simply implies that the shade loving perennial foliage plants referred to as hostas, are able to withstand a few hours of direct sun each day. Exposing the Hostas to a fair amount of morning and late afternoon sun usually promotes vigorous growth and better coloration for the plant leaves. These hostas that can tolerate sun still need to be protected from direct intense heating like the afternoon sun. Hostas for sun can however, show some symptoms in case of too much sun. Such signs include the browning of leaves at the edges and fading of their colors, which may become dull. It has been found that hostas that can tolerate some levels of heating have thicker, more textural leaves, which have pleated, ruffled, puckered or wrinkled patterns. Those thick leaves are also an important adaptation towards slug resistance.

Hostas for Sun

How much sun can hostas tolerate

Hostas for sun can tolerate full morning and late afternoon sun because it’s less intense. Early afternoon sun could lead to undesirable changes in hostas’ appearance like faded leaves. A full southerly sun exposure is undesirable for the growth of the hostas since it’s usually very hot and dry. However it’s not recommended to grow any hosta in full sun throughout the day. This can cause the leaves to burn out. The type of hosta and the amount of moisture available in the soil dictates the amount of sun that a hosta can withstand. In settling on the best locations for hostas to grow, a process of trial and error using different hostas should be conducted.

Can hostas grown in full sun?

Some hostas are referred to as full sun hostas. These hostas for sun have rugose leaves and are exemplified by the varieties known as: Guacamole, Fried Bananas, Sunny Delight, August Moon, Thunderbolt, Liberty, Sum and Substance and Stained Glass hostas. This sun tolerant group of hostas has been found to have fragrant flowers. Hostas that can grow in full sun can also be identified through their leaf colors, which range from yellow and gold to hues of white.  As stated earlier, hostas for sun need protection from the hottest midday sun.

Where to plant hostas

Hostas for sun can thrive in all growing zones with an adequate supply of soil moisture. Installation of drip irrigation along with the incorporation of mulches helps in maintaining hostas in the growing areas. Hostas can withstand more sun in zone 6 and northern regions than in the warmer regions. It’s evident that even hostas for sun have a challenge in tolerating a few hours of sun in the hottest zones. Generally, hostas need to be planted under partial sun illumination to maintain the vibrancy of their yellow coloration.

Hostas for sun may be able to grow in some sites, but will not perform optimally. As opposed to hostas for sun, sun-intolerant varieties are known to have thin leaves with an extensive white color. These hostas face a challenge of burning in the sun hence should be planted in spots that are shady for most of the day. It’s important to know the appropriate growth conditions for hostas for sun, if you want them to thrive.

Planting Hostas Video