Hosta is the most simple perennial plant to grow other than the dandelion. The varieties are endless with some only discernable by the true connoisseur of Hosta but they all have the same thing going for them; they grow like weeds. No, they don't self-sow and become a nuisance but I haven't killed one yet.

Now, even if you have never seen a Hosta I'll bet you know a dandelion, don't you? And like a dandelion once planted it is hard to get rid of a Hosta. But why would you want to be rid of such a highly prized plant as a Hosta? Easy. You might have planted it in the wrong place like I did once.

I had a huge Hosta Alba Variegata that needed a new home. I just didn't like where it was. So, I dug up the monster Hosta but it was so big I couldn't even move it on my own. I had to divid it into smaller plants which I could move easily. How did I do this? Without the remotest bit of care. I was ruthless. Plant division 101, anyone can do it. I used my shovel cutting into the root ball and spliting it into several managable sized plants. Others prefer to be gentle by prying the separate plants apart but it's not necessary. It matters not just as long as the roots do not dry out which is not likely with the Hosta. Hosta roots are fleshy and plumb which makes them hardier than some plants.

I planted most of the new plants but I still had some left over. I thought of giving some to my friend but she was out of town. Planting them would have to wait until she got back. I left them in a hidden away place just kind of sitting on top of some bark mulch until I could give them away. I kept them watered so I knew they were safe. Ah, but for the best laid plans of mice and gardeners! Things happened that were beyond anyone's control and the planting of the Hosta had to wait and wait and wait. When I checked on my new babies several weeks later I found they had rooted themselves to the ground. They in essence planted themselves! And thus started my obsession with Hosta. How could I not fall in love with a plant that could plant themselves?

The original place I had the Hosta growing must have had some bits of the Hosta root still in the soil. How do I know this? Because the Hosta grew back. Propagation by root cuttings. That's what it is called. Many perennials grow like this. Weeds are the best at it.

Some folks insist the Hosta is a for-shade-only plant. This is not true. I have planted Hosta in full sun and they still do great. The color of the leaves might get a bit bleached out in the sun but they still can tolerate the sun. They like rich, moist soil and are extremely hardy. Cold weather is nothing to the Hosta. Besides drowning it in kerosine nothing can kill this thing.

I have over twenty varieties now but they keep coming out with pretty new ones and like a kid in a toy store, I want them, I want them, I want them all! So now I go to my friends and even my enemies houses if they have a Hosta I don't have and I ask very nicely for a tiny little bit of root. That is all that is required. I even got in the habit of carrying around with me a bulb planter. It's the perfect tool for removing a good size root chunk to propagate a Hosta. And guess what. It works on other perennials too. Didn't I tell you Hosta propagation was easy?

Learn more about this author, Glory Lennon.
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