Hostas are the perfect perennial for adding vibrant foliage and texture to shaded garden beds. With their wide range of leaf shapes, sizes, and variegations, hostas can transform even the darkest corners of your yard into beautiful garden spaces. If you’re looking for hosta garden design inspiration, here are 9 ideas to bring your yard to life this season.

Combine Different Hosta Varieties for Visual Interest

One of the best ways to create an eye-catching hosta garden is to plant a combination of different hosta varieties. This allows you to enjoy a diverse range of leaf shapes, sizes, colors, and textures all in one bed. For example, try combining:

Large hostas like ‘Empress Wu’ or ‘Blue Angel’ for big, bold foliage.
Medium hostas like ‘Guacamole’ or ‘Rainforest Sunrise’ for bright pops of color.
Small hostas like ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ or ‘Dragon Tails’ for dainty accents.
Ruffled or wavy edged hostas like ‘Spilt Milk’ or ‘Curly Fries’ for added texture.
Variegated hostas with white, yellow or cream margins like ‘Patriot’ or ‘Stained Glass’ for striking contrasts.

The key is to choose hostas with different textures, leaf shapes, sizes, and variegation patterns that complement each other. This creates depth and dimension in your hosta garden.

Use Hostas as a Living Border

Hostas make a beautiful living border to edge garden beds, pathways, and fences. Their lush foliage creates a dense, flowing edge that softens hard borders. Plus, their different leaf shapes, heights, and colors provide visual interest.

For a cohesive look, repeat a single variety along the length of the border. Or alternate between 2-3 complementary varieties. Some good options for hosta border plants include:

‘Francee’ – slender leaves with clean white margins
‘June’ – blue heart-shaped leaves on compact mounds
‘Sagae’ – wavy, blue-green leaves with good spread
‘Praying Hands’ – tall, slender leaves that cascade downward

Leave at least 12-18 inches between plants to allow for growth. Also be sure to use hostas rated for sun or part-sun exposure along borders that get more light.

Use Large Hostas as Focal Points

Large hosta varieties make excellent focal points in the garden. Their big, bold leaves immediately draw the eye. Use them to anchor planting beds or to create visual impact in key areas.

Some large hosta varieties to try including:

‘Empress Wu’ – massive 2+ foot wide blue-green leaves
‘Blue Angel’ – huge blue spear-shaped leaves on 4 foot stems
‘Sum and Substance’ – chartreuse 18 inch leaves on a 30 inch mound
‘Elatior’ – blue-green leaves up to 15 inches on 30 inch mounds

Situate big hostas toward the middle or back of garden beds so they can be appreciated. Surround them with smaller plantings of ferns, astilbes, and other shade perennials.

Edge Hostas with Contrasting Foliage

Create more dramatic color contrasts in your hosta plantings by edging them with plants that have foliage colors that strongly contrast. Dark burgundy or purple leafed plants make an excellent edging for hostas with green or variegated foliage.

Some options to try include:

Heucheras – Ruffles and frills have deep burgundy leaves that contrast nicely with blue hostas.
Purple coneflowers – The dark leaves complement chartreuse and white variegated hostas.
Lungworts – Varieties like Mrs. Robb have almost black leaves that intensify brighter hostas.
Sweet Woodruff – The tiny whorled green leaves accent lighter hostas when used as an edging.

The contrasting colors right at the edge of hosta clumps help make their different hues and patterns stand out even more.

Underplant Hostas with Spring Bulbs

While hostas are emerging in spring, the garden beneath them is often bare. Fill this space by underplanting hostas with spring bulbs like tulips, daffodils, crocus, and squill.

Choose early spring blooming bulbs that will flower and fade back before the hosta leaves start to unfurl. Some particularly good options include:

Crocuses – Small corms easily fit between hosta crowns.
Grape hyacinths – Blue flowers complement hosta foliage.
Snowdrops – Delicate white blooms suit woodland hosta gardens.
Species tulips – Low-growing varieties like Tarda work well.

The fading bulb foliage gets hidden once the hosta leaves fill out. Just be sure to stop deadheading spent blooms so the foliage can nourish the bulbs.

Create Hosta Layers with Hardscaping

Add hardscape elements like pathways, short walls, and steppers to create vertical layers in the hosta garden. The different levels allow you to arrange hostas of different heights to best advantage.

Use low-growing, small varieties like ‘Minuteman’ and ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ in the foreground.
Plant medium-sized hostas like ‘Guacamole’ and ‘Stained Glass’ in the mid-section.
Put the tallest, large hosta varieties like ‘Empress Wu’ in the background.

The hardscaping creates the structure to display multiple sizes of hosta together for a fuller, layered look.

Use Hostas in Container Plantings

Don’t limit hostas to in-ground plantings! Their versatile foliage also looks fantastic in container plantings and planters, either solo or combined with other shade-loving plants.

Some tips for using hostas in containers:

Choose compact, miniature hosta varieties under 1 foot wide.
Use a quality potting mix and provide even moisture.
-Situate planters in part shade to full shade. Morning sun is okay.
Refresh the containers each spring with new plantings.

Some great container hostas include ‘Blue Cadet’, ‘Rainforest Sunrise’, ‘Blue Mouse Ears’, and ‘Pandora’s Box’.

Grow Hostas in Tree Rings

Tree rings or planting spaces around the base of trees are perfect for hostas. Their shade-tolerance allows them to thrive beneath dense tree canopies. And their variety of sizes and shapes allows you to create ornamental designs.

Some ideas for using hostas in tree rings:

Plant a single variety around the tree for a cohesive look.
Alternate different leaf colors or variegation patterns.
Radiate different hostas out from the trunk.
Use the biggest hostas near the trunk and smaller ones towards the outer ring.

This is a great way to decorate the often difficult growing space around tree bases in the yard.

Use Hostas for Rain Gardens

Hostas are well suited for planting in low, moist areas or rain gardens. Many varieties tolerate waterlogged soil and soggy conditions that would rot other plants.

Some good hostas for rain gardens include:

‘Fragrant Bouquet’ – heavily textured leaves tolerate wet feet.
‘Hadspen Blue’ – lightly cupped blue leaves dislike drying out.
‘Praying Hands’ – cascading leaves help soak up excess water.
‘Leading Lady’ – fast growing with good moisture tolerance.

Situate them in the lower, wettest sections of the rain garden. Mulch well to keep their crowns above excess moisture.

Combine Hostas with Other Shade Plants

While hostas can be used alone as specimen plants, combining them with other shade-loving perennials, shrubs, and trees creates a more complex, attractive garden.

Some excellent shade plants to plant with hostas include:

Ferns – Their delicate fronds contrast nicely with hosta foliage.
Astilbes – Feathery flower plumes add seasonal color.
Heucheras – Small, ruffled leaves offer foliage contrast.
Japanese Forest Grass – Soft, arching leaves complement hostas.
Bleeding hearts – Dangling pink flowers pop against hostas.
Hydrangeas – Big mophead blooms need the same shade.
Azaleas & Rhododendrons – Flowers and hosta foliage are striking together.

Be sure to select plants with similar light and water requirements as hostas for best results. Foliage and color contrast create the most interest.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hostas

How much sunlight do hostas need?

Most hostas grow best in partial shade to full shade exposure. They typically need at least 4-6 hours of shade per day from intense sun. Morning sun or dappled light is often tolerated better than afternoon sun.

What is the best way to water hostas?

Hostas prefer consistent, even moisture. Water them thoroughly at soil level about 1 inch per week if there is no rain. Avoid watering the foliage, as this can encourage leaf diseases.

When is the best time to plant hostas?

Spring and fall are ideal times to plant container-grown hostas. This gives their root systems a chance to establish before summer heat or winter cold.

How far apart should hostas be planted?

Spacing depends on the variety’s expected mature size. Plant hostas 12-24 inches apart for small varieties, 24-36 inches for mid-sized, and 36-60 inches for giant varieties.

Do hostas spread quickly?

Hostas grow outward from rhizomes or clumps, but most expand only a few inches each year. Their growth rate depends on type, growing conditions, and maturity.

What are good companion plants for hostas?

Good shade-loving companions for hostas include astilbes, ferns, heucheras, bleeding hearts, impatiens, ajuga, and caladiums. Avoid planting hostas with plants that need full sun.

Are hostas deer resistant?

Hostas are a favorite food of deer and need deer protection. Fencing, repellents, and deer-resistant cultivars like ‘Empress Wu’ can help deter damage. Avoid fragrant and yellow variegated varieties that deer prefer.

How do I cut back hostas in the fall?

Hostas can be cut back to the ground after the first hard frost. Or leave foliage over winter for insulation and cut back in early spring before new growth emerges.

Why are my hosta leaves slug damaged?

Slugs chewing on leaves is a common hosta pest problem. Remove debris where slugs hide. Hand pick them off plants. Use slug bait or traps. Avoid thick mulch that shelters slugs.

Conclusion

Hostas are some of the most versatile, easy care perennials for shade gardens. With their diversity of leaf textures, shapes, sizes and variegations, it’s easy to create stunning combinations that suit both modern and traditional garden styles. Use these hosta garden design ideas as inspiration to bring your own shady planting beds to life! Experiment with different layouts, color schemes, and plant pairings to find a look you love.

9 Hosta Garden Design Ideas to Bring Your Yard to Life