wing it ... they are very easy to move ...

i would only plan ahead ... for the giants .... of which.. you only list SS ... i dont consider the other such ....

the biggest issue.. which you dont address... is what are the trees... that create your shade ????

ken

Yep, Ken's point about trees is a good one. Maples are sometimes impossible to dig around and they will suck up every drop of water to the detriment of your newly planted hostas.

As far as what varieties to plant where - just keep their mature size in mind. You can't really go wrong if you mix it up a little and place a gold next to a blue, a couple of variegated bookending a solid, strappy leaves next to big round ones - mixing it up is the fun part. If you don't like the combination after a season or two, pop one or two out, plant them elsewhere and try a different combination. It's really hard to do it wrong. Just have fun, don't stress.

Example - a small part of a bed which was first planted in 2013. The El Nino (small blue one dead centre) will be moved this spring because others are taking over and we won't be able to see him. No biggie.

The shade would be provided by structures, the house and garage.

Can you provide a photo? What zone are you in?

Yes, I do consider form, color, and size. I have relocated quite a few hostas for best effect. Spacing is a prime consideration to me. Like Ken said, you would not want to move a large Sum and Substance. All hosta require some sun (morning is better). Some more sun tolerant then others. Here are two photos at the beginning and end of the season.

The hostas you mentioned should look well together with the addition of some variation.

Kathy, great thought; working a hosta garden can bring weight reduction, reading and writing puts it on! Don't let Oprah and WW in on that secret - it will spoil our solitude for all the useless noise she and WW would make from their end!

Putting in a garden requires time, testing of your patience and persistence until you find the right combination you are looking for. It is so much fun for those of us who are trapped in its addiction.....

Moving hosta that become too large for the location is half the fun of design; only computer animation has perfect gardens, and they have no personal interaction like I just had walking my winter garden at 42 damp degrees but quiet except for the birds.

how deep are the beds you are creating... along the structures???

pix???

ken

The area I have to work with is not big. Not even large, the area is defined by the meeting of our house and garage with a concrete walk on the third side forming a triangle. I live in an urban area, so space is limited.

Now, you all have me thinking...If I put all those hosta together on the same space it wouldn't leave any room for more plants once mature. And that would be both boring and messy, especially if the plantaginea come back and I try to cram them in there too.

I moved my Sum and Substance to the middle of the bed last summer, so it will be a centerpiece *hopefully* whatever I end up doing.

Back to the drawing board! Thanks for all the great thought-provoking questions :) I will try to remember to post a picture tomorrow.

So, this is how it starts...