Anybody seen my Hostas?

A number of my hostas need repotting either because they have outgrown their pots, or the clay ones have come to the end of their life through frost damage. I've repotted a number but so far have emptied 3 pots which have absolutely no sign of life in them. The pots have been in the same location for years, never moved under cover and have been perfectly fine. I can only assume that the weather over last Winter and into Spring was too much even for some moisture loving plants.
On a positive note it gives me an excuse to find some new ones.

 

There might still be time, depending on the varieties and whether they are usually up later? Some of mine have only been showing a week or so, such as Dinner Jacket and Autumn Frost. To be fair they've grown quickly since then, but I'd still give yours a bit more time.

If not then yes, great opportunity to have a look at some new ones!

 

@Jess91. I've emptied the pots and there is absolutely nothing there so I can only assume they rotted over winter although the soil isn't saturated. I went out today, just to look to see what is available this year. I showed great restraint and only bought 6.

 

Vine weevil adore Hostas and they would leave nothing.

 

@KT53 ahh that's a shame. It has been very wet over winter here so perhaps it's that, or as @Palustris says could be vine weevil?

ooh what have you bought?

 

Some of my Hostas are just showing but not all a smaller one I have allways shows much later.

 

I've been thinking the same about two of mine @KT53. I have five in pots on a bench. Three are now well in leaf, the other two looked dead. Until today, there are now shoots showing life!

 

Odd how things disappear! I have a mystery pot with nothing apparently in it, but I can't remember what was there last yr.

 

@Palustris no sign of any bugs or beasties in the compost when I emptied the pots.

 

At this time of year the vine weevils would have pupated into adults and left. So, there would be no sign of them if they had done the dirty deed.

 

Despite the losses I landed lucky at my local Dobbies. I saw a very unusual looking hosta called Siberian Tiger. Same price as all the run of the mill plants. Took it to the till and it came up as £13.99 against the label price of £9.99. When I queried the price they initially tried to say that one must have been mis-labelled. When I pointed out that all of that variety had the same price, and the name and price was on their sticky label I got it for the label price. Just checked various other suppliers and the prices are anywhere from £18 to £25.

 

I coudn't contemplate paying that for any perennial - especially ones that are regularly slug fodder @KT53 !

I hope the slugs don't get yours....

Even plants that don't mind loads of wet soil can be affected if they don't have adequate drainage, and they freeze, so it could have been a combination of that and weevils.

 

That's pricey @KT53 you can get some great varieties from specialist nurseries for much less. Frankly a 9cm size plant will be full size in three years and at a quarter of the cost.

My go to is Stafford Lake Nursery you have to pay with a bank transfer but it's really not much bother, I'm just grateful they bother with any retail sales.

Dobbies took over a fantastic family run nursery near us and they have ruined it...hugely expensive and nothing grown on site. Will be ever so happy to move soon and not have to deal with the useless state of what was a fantastic place that so many of my garden plants were bought from.

 

Sienna Hosta are pretty good too, if anyone is looking for particular varieties. I got really good quality plants from them last year. They were about £8 I think from memory, but prices do vary with variety. Some are more, like £12-15.

 

That’s a very fine looking hosta, @KT53. Hopefully it will grow well and give you lots of joy. Thankfully, my hostas haven’t been affected by vine weevils (though lots of other plants have). Slugs and snails are really abundant this spring so I have to think of creative ways to keep my increasing collection out of their reach - hanging baskets anyone?

Sienna Hosta have great varieties, but some are quite pricey. I shall avert my eyes less I fall into the trap again… Though maybe just a quick look…