I'm no expert, but IMO hosta aren't particular about soil type. I have some of mine in heavy clay, some in gravelly soil & some in a more woodsy type. All are happy. They do like lots of water though.

A concern if you're planting in a lot of compost though - the depth of the crown in the soil is critical. Too deep and they languish and may rot, too high and the roots are exposed and will perish during our winters. When planting in a heavily amended soil, the crown will eventually start to sink down as the compost breaks down. I've had that happen and had to raise them up. The gardening guru on the hosta forum recommends not amending the soil at all, but that's just him, I think others may disagree.

I would go ahead and amend the clay, but be aware of the depth issue.

I agree they're not picky. If the hostas are to be planted between two evergreens, they likely drop needles/cones and add organic matter and acidity to the soil anyway. I had a hosta at my old house in horrible unamended clay and it was fine.

My hostas here are almost underneath a very large spruce and they like it there. I have silty, acid soil here.

I have also planted hostas in all kinds of soil,and they do fine.Advice about the crowns is good advice.The only problems that I ever had was I planted a row of Kraus Regal under a fir tree and they didn't do well.I moved them and they were fine.I don't think it was the acid from the soil, but the tree's roots took all the water.Judy

Thanks guys !

I had a hosta last year in a pot and just buried it in the pot until I got a home for it. I bet it died because the crown was too deep.

I'll be careful to watch these ones.

Thanks again =:)