Have you planted hostas this year? If you have such young plants in your garden, it will be necessary to protect them for the winter. Older specimens are more resistant to frost, but it is worth providing them with additional protection. Check out this list of things you need to do with your hosts in December. There aren’t many of them, but you can’t forget about them.
Funkis come in various sizes and heights – they reach from 30 to 100 cm and grow into small or large clumps. Their leaves are extremely decorative due to their parallel veins. Additionally, they can be green, yellowish or even white.
Hosta flowers are bell-shaped, set on long stems. They come in purple, pink or white. They bloom from July to early autumn.
For plants to delight with their appearance, i.e. abundant growth and flowering, we must take proper care of them. This also applies to the winter period.
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Hostas are not demanding plants, but young specimens and those growing in a windy location should be protected in the winter. If we do not do this, their condition will significantly deteriorate. So how? ?
In December, it is worth covering the funnels with insulating material, such as agrotextile, conifers, straw or dry leaves.. Thanks to this simple care step, we will protect them not only against frost and wind, but also against moisture loss.
Let’s also remember to regularly remove dead leaves and unsightly flowerbeds during the winter. We need to get rid of them regularly because they provide an excellent shelter for rodents, such as mice and voles. In addition, they may lead to the development of pathogens that will harm the specimen in the next season.
Pruning hostas for winter is a very important care procedure that ensures their luxuriant growth and beautiful appearance in the next season. When and how should the cut be made?
We only prune hosta leaves when they are yellow or brown. Therefore, we do not have to rush too much to perform this procedure. Remember that removing partially green leaves will weaken the immunity of the plant, which still absorbs nutrients from them.
To perform this procedure correctly, we must grab the leaves with one hand and cut them to a height of 5 cm from the ground with the other. We collect the removed, dead parts from the ground and throw them into the compost. Thanks to this, we will avoid the development of fungal diseases.
Finally, after cutting, cover the funkia with a layer of mulch. It can be straw or peat. This applies to specimens that grow in a place not protected from the wind. Plants protected in this way are fully prepared for the upcoming winter sleep.
