I guess they can survive some dryness, but I have never felt they were drought tolerant either. They do love water as long as they don't sit in a puddle.

Jon

That is the biggest crock of bullfeathers that might pass as marketing for non-gardeners,, but a sure recipe for failure with hosta!

No data or experience here whatsoever that they are "drought-friendly"; quite the opposite. What a poor way to expand your plant marketing; why not ask someone if this is even remotely possible?.

Is this the new "planned obsolescence " for California drought gardeners? Just plant and don't water?

Shame on Monrovia falling victim to PC.

Anyone care to inform them hosta wither/die in heat without moisture?

Sad!! Like the bad advice that hosta kill dogs!!

Bruce

They actually state on the box ... "once established, this plant will require little water..." which really is not such a far stretch in my neck of the woods.... but California??? The words "once established" should be printed in bold IMO.

"Drought-friendly" my tookus! They should get about an inch a week, right? Whether it be from your hose or the sky...

Ok, where do I find a tookus...

I agree with josephines. There have been some years (last year was one) when I never watered my hosta and they did fine. Now, most are over 10 years old and the upper Midwest gets regular rainfall. During a drought, I will water so my hosta stay friendly. ;-)

tj

Edit to add My tookusdama Blue Shadows is pretty tough.

"Established" in dry soil - then dies! Sorry, seen it all too often. Try drying hosta out in the summer (heat and no water) and test for yourself?

Ok, I am having fun at Babka's expense; I apologize and say thanks for bringing it to our attention. I really like Monrovia - have bought a lot of their plants over the years and they usually grow!

The song may now be: "It nevers rains in southern California, but hosta grow without rain don't you love them"

Like the marketed moisture control soil that does indeed hold moisture until your plant roots rot in the pot...

I have seen mature old plantaginea clumps weather a Midwest drought, but they have grown 20+ years in hard clay and thus are very strong genetics.

My Tookusdama is still just unfurling...

Mine are now slug bait, as the corydalis overwhelmed them until I pulled it off today.

I have a feeling that all the plants sold to drought stricken areas will be getting those water-wise labels to keep them selling. :-( Poor hostas are in for a struggle.

No wonder you use pots. Is that the California drought or your average weather?

Ahhh that's it: they are close kin to water lilies...

'Enterprise' seems like a nice hosta. I should get one.

Babka, you couldn't make this story up if you tried - great job!

Some of you may recall in Japan they grow some hosta species in water gardens, in the water.Just like water lilies!!

Mine certainly aren't drought tolerant (I grow in pots). Like last year, we've been short on rainfall, high on sunshine the past month - and some of them are showing their displeasure by browning at the edges/ends.

BC

Bruce, you have to stop holding it in, let it out, tell us what you really think. :-)

Gee, Jon, thought I was giving you both barrels....

Seriously, having been in plant marketing and also recognizing the changing landscape of business options for companies in a very dynamic business world, there seems to be no end to people forgetting their experiences, only to repeat the miserable failures at some expense of money and personal time, let alone failure ( which as Houston said years ago, "failure is not an option!") which no one wants

We used to guarantee when we sold Banyai hosta plants they would grow whenever and wherever until people starting putting them indoors and in bathrooms: "they are so beautiful and I needed some color on my bathroom shelf..." but then they would die and they would say "These are not hardy!"

Live and learn is necessary but learn from the experience of others. I think I am talking to myself now.....

I'm listening Bruce and I know you understand I was just joking. Monrovia is obviously trying to cash in on the current 'in thing' of Xeriscaping by claiming Hostas are drought tolerant. They obviously know better and should be ashamed of themselves.

Jon

I haven't heard of drought friendly hosta. All of the hosta I know require average amount of water. On the plus side, because they are in the shade, evaporation rate is lower and so by nature shaded plants are more drought friendly than those that grow in full sun. I would not however grow them in area with less than average rainfall without some form of irrigation.

Paul