SKU: 00840369420800 3 Glad Tidings Bareroot Hosta

Key Features

• Growth Habit: Dense, clump-forming herbaceous perennial grown from fleshy bareroot crowns with broad, heart-shaped variegated foliage.
• Bloom Color: Pale lavender to light purple, bell-shaped flowers borne on tall scapes.
• Fragrance: Little to no noticeable fragrance.
• Fruit Flavor: None; produces ornamental seed capsules that are not edible.
• Culinary Uses: Young hosta shoots ("hostons") are edible when harvested early in spring and grown without pesticides or chemical treatments. Mature leaves are generally too fibrous for culinary use.
• Medicinal Uses: No widely recognized medicinal uses. Primarily grown as an ornamental perennial, though some hosta species have a history of limited traditional use in East Asia.
• Possible Toxicity: Mildly toxic to cats, dogs, and horses if ingested. May cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and digestive upset. Generally considered non-toxic to humans.
• Wildlife & Pest Resistance: Flowers attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Deer and rabbits readily browse the foliage unless protected. Slugs and snails are the most common insect pests, particularly in moist, shaded locations.
• Planting Zone: Hardy in USDA Zones 3–9.
• Sun Preferences: Partial shade to full shade. Tolerates gentle morning sun, which can enhance leaf color, but should be protected from intense afternoon sunlight.
• Drought Tolerance: Moderate once established, though it performs best with consistently moist, organically rich, well-drained soil.
• Mature Size: Typically grows 18–24 inches tall with a spread of 30–42 inches, while flower scapes may reach 28–36 inches.

When and How to Prune

• Remove spent flower stalks after blooming to improve the plant's appearance and redirect energy into root and foliage development.
• Trim away damaged, yellowing, or diseased leaves throughout the growing season.
• After the first hard frost, allow the foliage to die back naturally before cutting it down to 1–2 inches above ground level.
• Clean up old foliage in fall or very early spring to reduce overwintering pests such as slugs and snails.

Planting Instructions (Bareroot into the Ground)

1. Plant bareroot hostas in early spring or early fall when temperatures are cool.
2. Soak the bareroot in clean water for 30–60 minutes before planting to rehydrate the roots.
3. Choose a planting site with rich, humus-rich, well-drained soil in partial to full shade.
4. Dig a hole wide enough to spread the roots naturally without bending them.
5. Create a small mound of soil in the center of the hole and spread the roots evenly over the mound.
6. Position the crown so the growing buds sit at or just below the soil surface.
7. Backfill with soil, gently firm around the roots, and water thoroughly.
8. Space plants 30–42 inches apart to allow room for mature growth.
9. Apply a 2–3 inch layer of organic mulch, keeping it away from the crown to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
10. Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a healthy root system.

Overwintering Steps

• Glad Tidings Hosta is fully hardy in USDA Zones 3–9 and naturally becomes dormant each fall.
• After frost blackens the foliage, cut all leaves back to 1–2 inches above the soil.
• Remove dead foliage and debris from around the crown to discourage slugs, snails, and disease.
• Apply a 2–3 inch layer of shredded bark, compost, or leaf mulch after the ground begins to freeze to protect the crown from repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
• Remove excess mulch in early spring as new shoots emerge.
• Divide mature clumps every 4–6 years in spring or early fall to maintain vigor, reduce overcrowding, and create additional plants.

With its handsome variegated foliage, graceful lavender blooms, and dependable shade tolerance, Glad Tidings Hosta adds lasting beauty and texture to woodland gardens, shaded borders, and foundation plantings. Its vigorous growth, low-maintenance nature, and reliable perennial performance make it an outstanding choice for gardeners seeking season-long color and elegance in shaded landscapes.