A big move / opinions appreciated

9 years ago

Although I have been a member of the forum for years I am an admitted lurker. I started my woodland garden several years ago. I was up to probably 300 or so plants. Sadly it became neglected for a couple of years. Last year my husband and I moved. I lost quite a few to dry summers, and a lot of them have diminished in size the past few years. My husband and I have worked very hard this spring moving the hostas to our new house, fertilizing, mulching, hopefully returning them to glory in their new home. Below are pictures of my old garden and progress so far on the new. If you notice in the pictures I have several that have been in pots for years. Would you guys plant these in the ground as well?. What if one of them was a treasured Ice Age Trail? Pictures of old garden:

Progress so far:

Featured Answer

newhostalady Z6 ON, Canada

9 years ago

You certainly did work very hard this spring! Your previous garden was lovely and so full! I can see you know what you are doing! As for the pots, they don't need to be planted into the ground. It's your choice. Just make sure you loosen the roots before planting. If you want to keep the plants in their pots, I would repot if you haven't done so this year or last. Really, the decision is yours. And if it were my beloved Ice Age Trail, I would keep it in the pot, and I would consider displaying it on a cut log to elevate it within my hosta bed.

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Comments (11)

koffman99
9 years ago
Thet are beautiful welcome to the forums. I say if they are in pots and doing well, then leave them there.
popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
9 years ago
I love your little trough garden and of course the turtle!
Raye Lunceford thanked popmama (Colorado, USDA z5)
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peren.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada
9 years ago
Raye congrats on the new home for you and your Hostas! You have done so much work. You know the old adage "If it ain't broke don't fix it." If your potted ones are happy in their pots leave them. If you decide to plant them I am sure they would be happy with that too. Great progress!
Raye Lunceford thanked peren.all Zone 5a Ontario Canada
stephanie_h12
9 years ago
I love that turtle - it's so cute! Your new garden is going to be gorgeous.
Raye Lunceford thanked stephanie_h12
windymess z6a KC, Ks
9 years ago
Looks good Raye. I'm taking notes from you, and all of you out there, about spacing! As I plant this spring I'm going to try not to get the potential big ones too close! I moved a 2-year Gold Drop the other day and couldn't believe how heavy that was with its very healthy root ball. And that's a "small" hosta! I can appreciate how much work you've done to move your garden. Nice work, nice plants.
Raye Lunceford thanked windymess z6a KC, Ks
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Paradise Alcove LLC
9 years ago
Welcome and congratulations on the big move!

It is a labor of love to move parts of a garden along with one's indoor personal belongings. Yet, I know that I would do the same when that time comes. Yep, without a doubt. :)

I agree with everyone who has posted admiring your previous and newly planted garden- the great effort of your work shows through the beauty of your hosta gardens.

And, I second newhostalady's opinion for repotting and/or potting up (refreshing the potting medium and enlarging the pot just a bit if the hosta is not full grown).

Plus, since it is a new garden/house and until you have had a full year of weathering the weather with your garden, it may be a good precaution to keep the treasured hostas in pots in case you discover during the growing season certain growing conditions that are not ideal for the hostas in the new garden. It is easier to save/move the hosta with little disruption to the plant when it is in the pot/container than digging it out.

Good Luck, hope to see more of your garden in your new home and welcome, again! :)
Raye Lunceford thanked Paradise Alcove LLC
AnnKH
9 years ago
I'm a newbie, but it seems to me that placing a potted hosta in a place you think you might plant it would be a great compromise. I might even put the pots IN the ground, so they don't stick way up above the others.

Imagine how your space is going to look a year from now! Your hard work will definitely pay off.

I love the small decorations in your garden - the tiny birdhouse, the statue, and of course the turtle! I've put a few things in mine too - though I want to be careful not to overdo it.
Raye Lunceford thanked AnnKH
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
9 years ago
Welcome. Ann's comment above is spot on. Leaving the potted ones in pots and moving them about is a good way to ease into your new surroundings. Kinda like fudging the rule of living in your house for a year before changing the landscape.

tj
mbug_gw
9 years ago
Keep us updated.....beautiful hosta!
miles10612
9 years ago
so much work and effort put into the move! I've got a great Ice Age Trail near my house and I would definitely move it carefully since it's one of my favorites. I would probably leave them in pots until I was absolutely certain how to arrange them in the beds etc. I think that gives you the best way to see what works and what doesn't. I just moved a very large blue hosta--10 crowns, from the back yard to the front and it's doing well but I went from a crowded bed to one that has more room and offers more shade.