Water.

Seriously, all else is secondary to a good dose of h2o. Past that, anything organic is my choice. Manure (all kinds), compost, mulch.

Except for the foofoo hostas, it's gonna grow if you give it some dirt and a LOT of water.

Did I mention that hostas like water?

Sun too, btw. If you want fast growth, stick them in the sun. They will look icky (especially if they don't get enough water), but after a couple of years you can move them to more shade & they will be huge & beautiful.

And be sure to water them too. :)

what kind of trees you gardening under ...

if they are any of the dreaded trees .... like maple.. you are better off NOT fertilizing.. or the tree will grow the roots.. into the plant.. to steal the fert ...

a broadcast compost would probably be best... as you would put it all over the bed.. and the trees will not be directly attracted to your babes ...

welcome to the addiction .... and to GW ....

ken

Thank you for the answer, I will water them constantly from now on. My hostas are next to a fence and a tree (I don't know what type - white flowers in April). I did dig up the beds, got rid of most of the tree roots, loosen up the soil and added the manure. My hostas are now growing quite well and are flowering too.

Milorganite is great for them, and the smell deters deer.