Hosta bed location

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Blackdirt Cowboy
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Hosta bed location

Post by Blackdirt Cowboy » May 15th, 2016, 12:30 am

I have a shaded area that I'm thinking about putting in some hostas. It's under some elm trees and on a pretty decent slope. Will they serve as a good ground cover, and will they be suitable for erosion control? Will they even survive under the trees? Here is a picture of the area I'm thinking about putting them.
Image

Also, in an area like this, would you recommend only planting the 100 hostas for $100 from Gilbert Wild, or should some specimen plants be added to it. It is a rather large area, approximately 3000 square feet. Perhaps that's too large for a hosta bed. I'm open to suggestions for other shade loving plants as well.

ETA: I'm in Texas, so it may be too hot for hostas?

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andy10917
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Re: Hosta bed location

Post by andy10917 » May 15th, 2016, 10:21 pm

I'm in Texas, so it may be too hot for hostas?
Marlin, TX is getting pretty south. Hostas need a "resting period" of around 40 days a year (minimum) where they naturally go dormant because of cold weather. Otherwise, they slowly decline over a 2-3 year period and fade out.

Find out if hostas will grow in your area, and post if they can - that looks like a great spot for a great spot for a large mass-planting.

Blackdirt Cowboy
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Re: Hosta bed location

Post by Blackdirt Cowboy » May 16th, 2016, 2:33 pm

It looks like hostas are hit and miss in my location, mostly miss. I guess I'll have to keep searching for what would be best to plant here. I'm thinking vinca minor.

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dfw_pilot
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Mondo

Post by dfw_pilot » May 16th, 2016, 5:45 pm

Do you like the look of Mondo grass?

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andy10917
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Re: Hosta bed location

Post by andy10917 » May 16th, 2016, 6:33 pm

Cowboy, if you need a good source for Vinca Minor, I know a place that's selling it for $28 for 1500-2000 leads.


Tony alony
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Re: Hosta bed location

Post by Tony alony » May 16th, 2016, 8:25 pm

Blackdirt Cowboy, have you checked the LadyBird Johnson Willdflower Center for recommendations for your location? They are very helpful when recommending or helping to make decisions. They seem to have the resources you seek, if asked correctly.
Many people use this resource in the beginning, for for decision making, here in Texas. You may be able to initiate a dialog with them that might prove to be helpful. Good Luck!
If your mind is already set, it still wouldn't hurt to listen to their suggestions. Like everything else in Texas, you have to be persistent to get answers from certain people. Good Luck!

virginiagal

Re: Hosta bed location

Post by virginiagal » May 17th, 2016, 1:10 pm

Vinca minor is listed as an invasive plant in Texas:
http://www.texasinvasives.org/plant_dat ... mbol=VIMI2
The website gives some alternatives.

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probasesteal
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Re: Hosta bed location

Post by probasesteal » May 18th, 2016, 9:53 am

virginiagal wrote:Vinca minor is listed as an invasive plant in Texas:
http://www.texasinvasives.org/plant_dat ... mbol=VIMI2
The website gives some alternatives.

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I have vinca minor and varigated in and around my property. Here in NC I can see why it would be considered invasive. I really like the varigated form, but I do have to trim it out of the grass 5-6 times per year, really no big deal, but it will root where nodes touch.
I think it would be a great, cheap option for your area and would spread to fill in 1-3 years.

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Blackdirt Cowboy
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Re: Hosta bed location

Post by Blackdirt Cowboy » May 18th, 2016, 10:52 am

Vinca seems to be the cheapest option. A lot of people use it around here. In also looking into some native ground covers, but I think those are going to be prohibitively expensive. The first area I'm working on is 1000 square feet. At roughly $7 a plant, it adds up quick.

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Re: Hosta bed location

Post by TimmyG » May 18th, 2016, 11:01 am

Blackdirt Cowboy wrote:Vinca seems to be the cheapest option. ... At roughly $7 a plant, it adds up quick.
andy10917 wrote:Cowboy, if you need a good source for Vinca Minor, I know a place that's selling it for $28 for 1500-2000 leads.
PM Andy for his source. Or search yourself online for bulk orders of clumps. Potted nursery stock will break the bank.

Blackdirt Cowboy
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Re: Hosta bed location

Post by Blackdirt Cowboy » May 18th, 2016, 11:17 am

Thanks Timmy. I was referring to the native plants at $7 a piece. I have talked to Andy about his source for vinca and will use it if that's the route I go. Sorry for the confusion.

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TimmyG
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Re: Hosta bed location

Post by TimmyG » May 18th, 2016, 11:48 am

Ah, yes. Silly me.

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