Since I've never tried to to a hedge like planting with hostas I'll defer on that part. My concern would be growth rate being consistant enough with each individual plant that it doesn't look out of place. I like my hostas to touch making a canvas of mixed colors but I've they definitely don't look like a hedge.
PS my So Sweet gets 100% full day of mile high sun and is well over what they say it's size is 25" tall and 42" wide, I'm not sure what others have for size but that may also be a consideration
It will be interesting to see a pic of hedge like hostas though so definitely give it a try and post pics.

I have seen it done with all sorts of hosta....depends on the look you want the size you want and your conditions. I would be thinking of the old favorites....because of cost and proven reliability.
Linda C

I think 'So Sweet' would make a sweet border! Sure, go for it! I recently put in an undulata border in 3/4 sun and it's doing fine, already starting new growth. It was one of the first hostas that I started out with 18 years ago. I dug up the large (width-wise) plant so I could put in Patriot. I decided to use some of it as a border along the curb by our mailbox. I think it's going to look great. I've also seen the Tiaras and 'Golden Scepter' used as borders. They looked fabulous! Good luck!

Diane

I have a short ledge of undulata univittas ( I never get the spelling right on this one) that lines my front porch. I like 'em! I think so sweet would look great, even though that's one that has never taken off in my garden, and I have 3 or 4 of them...

I meant hedge, not ledge

the hosta you have that multiplies like a weed .... is the cheapest answer .... unless you want to buy hundreds of the same plant..

buying more than one plant of a cultivar confuses this 'collector' .....

dividing aggressive ones does not ...

plantaginea would be my best recommendation ... royal std ... golden tiara .... gold standard .... the undulatas .... guacamole .... etc ...

ken

Since I have to fight for every available spot on my property I can not imagine putting more than one specimen of hosta. But I am plant collector so having my garden not looking like hodge podge is big problem for me. ;)
Row of the same hostas will give that area formal look. Is that what you are trying to achieve?
To me any formal garden has to come with a gardener- as any slight deviation looks out of place.
Anyway, I would go with Ken suggestion- divide your clump in the spring and replant- hosta So sweet will multiply in no time.

I have a friend who has a sort of kidney shaped area encircling 2 swamp birch that is planted with almost all one variety...can't remember what it is...might be francee and interspersed there are 3 bigger taller lighter colored hosta. Looks very neat!
Linda C

So Sweet is a good choice. Torchlight is another attractive fast-growing upright that looks very good well into the fall. If you do choose an upright, you can plant a row of smaller hostas in front of it, for example one of the tiaras (Grand Tiara comes to mind) - giving you a two tiered, multicolour effect.

I've got a row of ancient Ventricosa (I'm sort of guessing) - nice big mounds, heart shaped leaves with purple blooms - between the north side of my garage and a little sidewalk. They've all grown together to form a perfectly uniform hedge, each plant exactly the same height, etc. It has a neat look about it.

Depending on space you might consider a row of one var then another row of a similar var. Say row after row of 'Patriot then 'Loyalist then 'Minuteman.

I've seen large sweeps of one var that looks very nice.

Although I do it, I generally don't like the collector garden of as many different var as possible, hard not to do it when you enjoy one specie as most of us do.

How much sun is the area going to get? If it's alot, So Sweet, or any plantagenia would be a good choice. On the same note, undulata, Patriot, or any other with a white border or center might melt out and look ratty earlier in the season.
When I think of a hedge, I picture something taller. Maybe Krossa Regal or Regal Splendor, and of course, you could put a row of something smaller in front of it, like was mentioned earlier.
I am in the "one of each" crowd lol, but I have seen mass groupings of the same variety that looked nice.

I have a 40'+ long hedge of Pieris 'Scarlet O'Hara' underplanted by Francee in front, in back and in between.
Originaly it was a Francee only triple-row hedge, but in a winter place was look outright ugly.

I think Ken gave a very good list of possible plants...

I add some more: Fried Green Tomatoes, Fried Green Bananas, Fragrant Dream, Fragrant King, Moonlight, Lederhosen, Flower Power
All of them are good growers (with FGT and FGB growing extremely fast), and except moonlight they are all fragrant

You could also watch the shape, one of the vase-shaped or more upright plants could be more suited for this purpose, Krossa Regal comes immediately to my mind, but its is not the fastest grower (at least not in my garden).
Some other plants that are growing more 'upright' that I would ocnsider : Sagae, Liberty, Magic Fire and Violetta, the first 3 of this list are really kindah slowich over the first years...

Fortunei Albomarginata works for me.

Ah, find one you like and divide it each year. Plant the divisions in decent soil and shade. You'll soon have plenty. :)

in 2002, I planted 30 1-gallon size Royal Standards in a wavy line... it separated the yard from a gravel walkway... at our first house. We still own that house, but we have it rented out. I've told the renters to expect me to show up cuz I'm taking some of those babies with me... 'cept they're not babies anymore! They are HUGE. Now, the tenants are not watering them well and they're in about 3/4 sun, but they look WONDERFUL.

I just have to figure out what I'm going to do with them once I get them here! Especially since they're so tasty to the local bunny population.

But you have inspired me to consider using them in a border on the north side of my current home! Thank you!

Here are a few pix of my neighbor's yard taken a few days ago. Horrible neighbor by the way, won't share. Lancifolia I believe.

I vote plantaginea - Missouri Botanical Garden has a stunning long curving line that took my breath away when I saw it in full bloom. Happily, since MoBot is 1000 miles away, a house I often pass here in CT has a long row planted at the base of a privacy fence - absolutely gorgeous -

You know, MoBot may be Royal Standard - not sure - but big white flowers against glossy green leaves late in summer. Very clean, uncluttered look in mass.

Stiletto is small but grows like a weed, depends on size and So Sweet sounds so sweet, gag!

If I had an ounce of conscience I would take such a cheap shot.

I did a boarder/hedge with stiletto. I divided a rather large one into single eyes planted down the row and two years later they are amazingly large. Never did I guess they would grow and multiply so fast. They have remained all the same size, so their growth rate is uniform through the species, so my experience would disagree with scootersbear. Actually I intermingled stiletto with a hosta that is the same color and size but has heart shaped leaves. Planted them every other one.