Updated May 14, 2008

Because hostas have so many different shapes, colors and textures, landscaping with them can produce some spectacular results in your garden. On the other hand, combining the wrong plants can give your garden a chaotic  and unbalanced effect.  Using the concept of balance and accent  is the key to getting the most from your hostas. A common mistake hosta gardeners make is to combine too many brightly colored or variegated hostas together. 

Hopefully the pictures used in this site will give you ideas for your own hosta garden.

Have a great hosta year!

An expensive showy hosta can look disappointing when it clashes or has to compete with too many of its neighbors. Whereas,  an inexpensive, common hosta can look stunning when surrounded by complimenting hostas or companion plants.

Blue, green , and slightly variegated hostas can be used almost anywhere. Their quiet presence can be used  to complement other plants, and add structure and fullness  to a bed. For example, use a green hosta to complement  a green and white variegated hosta  or a gold hosta to complement a gold and green variegated hosta.

If you wish to combine hostas of the same leaf color, combine different  textures or sizes. Use a large leafed hosta with a smaller lanced leafed one. Contrast in sizes can make a hosta look larger or smaller, depending on the surrounding plants. If the hostas resemble one another too closely the bed will be boring.  However, if they have nothing in  common they may look isolated.

Balance & Color

 

The green and white variegated hostas  are complemented  by the green ones.  The various textures add depth to this hosta garden. 

 

The pink and white flowers accent  and add drama the blue foliage of this beautiful blue hosta.

The colors of the  flowers in the above pictures both accent  and complement the hostas. The variety of the  forms in these pictures add interest to the gardens