SKU: 00840369420817 3 Honeybell Hosta Bareroot Plants

Key Features

• Growth Habit: Large, dense, clump-forming herbaceous perennial grown from fleshy bareroot crowns with broad, glossy, heart-shaped foliage.
• Bloom Color: Pale lavender to soft lavender, trumpet-shaped flowers borne on tall flower scapes.
• Fragrance: Strong, sweet fragrance, especially noticeable during the evening hours.
• Fruit Flavor: None; produces ornamental seed capsules that are not grown for edible use.
• Culinary Uses: Young spring shoots ("hostons") are edible when harvested early and grown without pesticides or chemical treatments. Mature foliage is generally too fibrous for culinary use.
• Medicinal Uses: No widely recognized medicinal uses. While some hosta species have been used in traditional East Asian herbal practices, Honeybells is primarily cultivated as an ornamental perennial.
• Possible Toxicity: Mildly toxic to cats, dogs, and horses if ingested. May cause vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and gastrointestinal upset. Generally considered non-toxic to humans.
• Wildlife & Pest Resistance: Highly attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Deer and rabbits commonly browse hosta foliage unless protected. Slugs and snails are the most common pests, especially in moist, shaded locations.
• Planting Zone: Hardy in USDA Zones 3–9.
• Sun Preferences: Partial shade to full shade. Tolerates morning sun, particularly in cooler climates, but should be protected from hot afternoon sunlight.
• Drought Tolerance: Moderate once established, although it performs best with consistently moist, organically rich, well-drained soil.
• Mature Size: Typically grows 24–30 inches tall with a spread of 48–60 inches, while flower scapes may reach 40–48 inches.

When and How to Prune

• Remove spent flower stalks after blooming to improve appearance and encourage the plant to direct energy back into its roots and foliage.
• Trim away damaged, yellowing, or diseased leaves throughout the growing season as needed.
• After the first hard frost, allow the foliage to die back naturally before cutting it back to 1–2 inches above the soil.
• Remove old foliage and garden debris in fall or early spring to reduce overwintering slugs, snails, and disease.

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 fully hydrate the roots.
3. Select a planting location with rich, humus-rich, well-drained soil in partial to full shade.
4. Dig a hole wide enough to spread the roots comfortably without bending them.
5. Create a small mound of soil in the center of the hole and spread the roots evenly over it.
6. Position the crown so the growing buds are at or just below the soil surface.
7. Backfill with soil, gently firm around the roots, and water thoroughly.
8. Space plants 48–60 inches apart to accommodate their mature size.
9. Apply a 2–3 inch layer of organic mulch, keeping it a few inches away from the crown to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
10. Water consistently during the first growing season to establish a deep, healthy root system.

Overwintering Steps

• Honeybells Hosta is fully hardy in USDA Zones 3–9 and naturally enters dormancy in autumn.
• Allow the foliage to die back naturally after the first hard frost.
• Cut the foliage back to 1–2 inches above ground level once it has completely yellowed or collapsed.
• Remove all dead leaves 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 insulate the crown from repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
• Gradually remove excess mulch in early spring as new shoots begin to emerge.
• Divide mature clumps every 4–6 years in spring or early fall to rejuvenate plants and maintain vigorous growth.

With its lush green foliage, sweetly fragrant lavender blooms, and impressive size, Honeybells Hosta is a standout addition to woodland gardens, shaded borders, and landscape plantings. Its vigorous growth, exceptional fragrance, and dependable perennial habit make it a favorite for gardeners seeking bold texture, pollinator appeal, and season-long beauty in shaded spaces.