I never thought that hosta could get pushed around. We have myrtle growing around our hosta patches, but not in them because the hosta blocks all the light. That and I bury it in sweet peet every year. Last year we had a couple ferns and ligularia find their way into the hosta. That was fine. Both plants added a little height and color variance to the hosta beds. I never thought they could muscle any of our hosta. I figured it would be a fight to see who unfurled first. I was confident that the hosta would prevail.
Yesterday we had a break in the weather from a week of rain, so garden maintenance was in order. Pat and I dug ferns and ligularia out of the hosta patches. So much for letting the plants fight it out, survival of the strongest stuff. That just was not going to happen. We, well actually I, wanted to insure garden hegemony for the hosta. I still like ligularia and ferns and they will always have a place in our garden. Pat throws around the term “invasive” and “that’s what you get” a lot when talking about ferns and ligularia.
All the plants we dug up aren’t going to waste. A friend of ours is starting a new household and needs a shade garden. And as everyone knows, you always need hosta, ferns, and ligularia. She gets some irises for her sunny area.
I left a few ferns and ligularia because I'm really weak kneed and sentimental for them. You can remind me about it next year.
11 comments:
Looking really lush and beautiful over there. You've been working hard! Those extra plants DO look great potted... Perhaps you could work out a trade with a gardening neighbor??
Btw: I'm enjoying the little ligularia progeny in my milk jugs. They're looking very healthy! In a week, I'm going to sow a whole lot of seeds! :-)
It's no so much you affecting the law of nature, as forming an alliance with the Hosta. After all, a bear could probably beat Pat in a fight, but yo're not going to let that happen, are you? (Well, at least not before you get your dinner)
I'm glad you left some, the ferns and ligularia add really interesting textures to the hosta.
My pond garden has been taken over by the Ligularia. Since I want even more the Hosta gets moved :)
Hi Jim and Pat - very nice! I just did a post and linked to you :) Funny thing it is also related to a "herd" of a different sort
I do like the look of the ferns especially with the hosta. And no need to remind you of this year's decision -- you'll assuredly remember it yourself next spring, Jim. ;)
I think it's so sweet that you're giving a friend a head start in her garden. Bet she's thrilled!
Jim, I, too, claim to have a "let the plants fight it out" philosophy (at least for some areas of the garden), but then I find myself intervening when I don't like the results. Last year, I pruned back the rhododendron on the back slope that had whole gardens of other plants buried under its branches. -Jean
OK, I've duly noted to check in next year and see how the ferns and ligularia are going in their take over bid!
Everything is looking so lush and inviting there Jim...I wish I could get my hands on some of that sweet peat!
From one shade gardener to another...Hosta RULES! Loved finding your blog! I'm currently 'thinning the herd' as well here in Maryland.
Sharon from: ontheshadyside.blogspot.com
Hi Jim, Your friend will have a great start to her shade garden. I am going to be digging and dividing some of my ferns/hosta in a couple of weeks when I visit my mom. She recently moved to a new home and is always looking for whatever I can take to her.Every weekend it seems my husband and I are out in the yard, digging up something and moving it someplace else, be it shrubs/bushes and/or plants. I spent the day transplanting things in the front and the back yards. It's really a never-ending cycle, but we wouldn't do it unless we like to, right?!?!
I think the ferns give context to the hostas.
But that's just the way I think.
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