Hostas are a gardener’s dream. They’re known for their striking foliage, with leaves that range from whites and yellows to deep greens, but it’s their versatility and hardiness that steal the show. Got a shady spot where many other plants struggle? Hostas. Want something with long-lasting foliage and pretty flowers that’ll attract pollinators? Hostas.
Need something that’ll pair with other shade-loving plants? Hostas. These herbaceous perennial plants come in many sizes, from delicate miniatures to massive plants. You can use them as fillers, accents, borders, or focal points to turn your ordinary garden into a lush, polished retreat.
Here are some beautiful hosta landscaping ideas that’ll help you to use them effectively, whether you’ve got a sprawling garden or a simple patio corner that needs some greenery:
1. Hostas as Edging and Borders
Hostas are excellent framing plants. They transform the look of flower beds, driveways, garden paths, and any other spot in your yard that needs an edge or a border with their thick foliage. They’ve got a natural mounding growth habit that defines spaces without the need for artificial or additional barriers.
If bricks and stone are too harsh for you, use small hosta varieties that’ll spill over your walkways for a softer aesthetic. For a dynamic or organic look, mix different shades of hostas and pair them with groundcovers like creeping Jenny and vinca to create a living border that changes slightly as the seasons come and go. Complete the picture with solar lights among the plants to highlight the foliage at night.
2. Hostas Mixed With Ferns
Ferns and hostas go together like bees and pollen. Of all the beautiful hosta landscaping ideas, this is the one that’ll make your hostas the happiest. Together, these two plants create a classic shade-garden combination that brings bold, broad leaves and fine, feathery textures to your landscape.
The hostas are responsible for anchoring the garden, while the ferns give airiness and flow. It’s a natural pairing that can transform your dull landscape into a woodland-inspired marvel, especially if you offer them the right conditions. They both need moist, shady conditions and they require little maintenance once established.
3. Hostas Under Trees
Sometimes the areas under trees are nothing but a challenge because many plants struggle with the shady areas where they have to compete with the tree roots. Hostas, however, thrive in these conditions. You can also mix in other shade-tolerant companions like astilbes or heucheras for a pop of color.
Scatter the hostas in irregular groupings instead of strict circles or rows for a natural look. Their leaves will add fullness and cover the bare soil for a polished, soft transition between the rugged trunk and the ground. To retain moisture and ensure that your hostas aren’t competing with the roots too much, add mulch around the base.
4. Hostas Lining Fences
Fences certainly aren’t known for being gorgeous decorative elements or focal points. In fact, they can appear stark and uninviting, which brings down the entire look of your property. Whether you’ve got wooden, chain link, or even stone fences, a touch of greenery can make a big difference. Large hostas create a dense wall of foliage that can conceal that unsightly fencing, while smaller types are a better choice if you plant to complement the fence instead of hiding it.
The deep greens and golds of hostas add interest and break up the monotony of long, boring fence lines, while softening the edges and attracting pollinators. Stagger them in different heights for a layered effect or add other shade-loving perennials for a seasonal burst of color.
5. Hostas as Filler Plants
Whether you don’t think they can handle the spotlight, or you prefer a variety of elements in your garden, hostas can also work well as filler plants. They tie together different areas of a garden seamlessly because they leave no open and awkward spaces while complementing the existing greenery.
Hostas thrive in shade, so they’re ideal for the spaces where sun-loving plants won’t. Plant them anywhere from your flower beds to gaps between large shrubs and statement trees, or use them as temporary solutions while your young plants are still growing.
6. Hostas Surrounding Water Features
Water features like ponds, birdbaths, and trickling fountains already draw attention, but you can enhance their beauty even further if you surround them with hostas. The textured leaves provide a stunning contrast to the smooth water, softening the hard edges and integrating the reflective surface into the landscape.
Frame your pond with large hostas, edge your birdbath with smaller varieties, or surround your fountain with medium-sized hostas. Add shade-loving flowers like astilbes or hydrangeas to the layout, or mix in ornamental grasses and moss for a natural, organic look.
7. Hostas Around Patios
A couple of beautiful hosta landscaping ideas incorporate structures and permanent fixtures because they work so well to soften the harsh edges of stone, concrete, metal, and wood. Hostas planted directly in the ground around your patio’s perimeter will let it blend into the landscape, while large containers allow you to move them around.
Place the smaller hostas near your seating areas to freshen the air and use larger varieties to provide privacy to your patio. Hostas also attract hummingbirds and other pollinators, especially if you pair them with companion plants like shade-loving annuals, hydrangeas, and ferns.
8. Giant Hosta Focal Points
Hostas serve their purpose of filler or background plants well, but giant varieties can also serve as focal points. Some large hostas have leaves that span over a foot wide, so your guests will simply have to appreciate their beauty. They’re ideal for open corners or as standalone features in shaded areas, but you can also plant them in your garden beds along with smaller companion plants to emphasize their size and grandeur. Sum and Substance and Empress Wu create instant impact and they pair beautifully with delicate flowers, ferns, and ornamental grasses.
9. Hosta-Only Garden Beds
Some beautiful hosta landscaping ideas are plain and simple, like hosta-only garden beds. If you don’t want to incorporate ferns to the mix or use your hostas as filler plants, go ahead and plant them on their own. They’re more than capable of creating a striking landscape without help from other species and hardscaping elements.
Plant clusters of the same varieties in one area or group blues, greens, and golds together to create a tapestry of colors and textures. In terms of placement, taller varieties at the back with smaller ones in front will create a tiered effect, and nothing’s stopping you from adding mulch or gravel to the beds for maintenance purposes.
Jamie is the founder of The Backyard Pros. When he was 15 years old he started working at a garden centre helping people buy plants, gardening products, and lawn care products. He has real estate experience and he is a home owner. Jamie loves backyard projects, refinishing furniture, and enjoys sharing his knowledge online.