How many hostas you plant really depends on how tall a plant you're looking for, something small such as 'Golden Tiara' or something larger like an 'Undulata' and how large a horseshoe you want to create?

Pieter

i know you have pix capability .. and without such.. i have no clue ... as to an answer ...

but it seems like it would depend on how big the hosta will get .... as to how much ground it will cover ...

ken

Height (mature size) approx 12-16" and can clump can expand to approx 29-35"... it would be your choice whether to stagger them or keep them in a straight line. You can always experiment with placement to see which is more pleasing to your eye. A great, easy to grow little hosta - from one I now have several and it does not burn in full sun exposure here in my zone 5. :-)

I haven't chosen the hosta because i cant tell if a true "ring" is even possible with the thinness of my tree. I can get a picture tonight but the trunk is only 4" thick so if i take an average 2' wide variety, is it even going to look good? I am sure the trunk will thicken over the years, but it isnt going to get that big like a pine tree or even my camellia. I had thought of one plant directly in front of the tree and one on either side of the tree. Is that an odd way to make a ring for this thin tree, or would I be better off putting one directly in front and then one at either 45degree angle of the tree, that would make more of a 1/3rd of a circle ring around just the front of the trunk. I am sure i would be better off finding some smaller hostas, but with the trunk being so thin I think it would add some nice design to have the hostas in the 2' wide category. I would rather have them round around the tree than just a line per say.

How far are the wax myrtles from the fence? Seems to me from the fence to the opposite drip line of the tree would be your natural bed. Once you have that measurement you can look at pictures of hostas until you find one that you know would compliment your tree and it's background, then do the math and figure out if you need 3 or 5 hostas around each tree based on mature size of the hostas you have picked.

Haha Jon, that was a good read

I have thought about adding the rings of hostas around l each tree but I think they are too small it may look odd having so much greenery around a twig. So..i know this is a bad picture but I'd like opinions on which way to go. It is pretty bare now I know, but I will have 2 annabelle hydrangeas behind the center of these trees.

1. I could put two Patriot hostas in front of each tree, just on either side of the trunk.

2. I could make an entire row of hostas in front of all three trees.

This was what got me thinking of option 2.

I would stagger the hostas. Perhaps making an arc in front of the tree and putting larger specimans between the trees and back some. I prefer tree rings to strait lines but as a collector, I would mix it up a bit.

Stagger, larger varieties in the back and smaller in the front.

That wrought iron fence photo is of a very formal planting, and your yard and fence is not formal.

I would do one of two things- often I take a photo of an area, print out a few copies on cheapo paper, and draw/color each of my various ideas to see how it looks before I decide what to do.

OR I buy all the plants and set them around in containers for a few days to see how I like the arrangement. Often what looks good at first looks terrible the next day when I walk back out and I adjust them and think some more before making the commitment to actually plant .

I would caution you to be on the lookout for too regimental a look- straight lines/rows and perfectly spaced trees/tall shrubs. I really think a more casual, informal look is what that yard needs. Think in terms of pools of plantings, not rows, and curves not straight lines.