Hostas have become almost synonymous with shade gardens, and with good reason: hostas are hardy, vigorous, and reliable. Although they produce attractive spikes of purple or white flowers in midsummer, hostas are grown primarily for their attractive foliage, and plant breeders have created varieties in a remarkable range of sizes and colors.

Experienced gardeners know the value of foliage plants. Many types of perennial flowers are at peak bloom for just a few weeks. Plants with attractive foliage such as hosta fill in the gaps and help create season-long interest. This is especially true in shade gardens, since many shade-loving plants have more subtle blooms or have a shorter bloom time than many familiar sun-loving plants.