“Hosta Blooms”, a copyrighted post, was written for my WordPress blog called Always Growing by Jan in Covington, Louisiana
Hostas are extremely popular for their lush, beautiful foliage. The leaves come in various sizes, shapes, colors, and textures, all of which adds interest to the garden that flowers alone cannot do.
But foliage isn’t the only selling point of hostas. Their flowers, esp. on some of the newer varieties, can be wonderful, too. Tall spikes of lavender, purple, or white appear in early summer. Some are fragrant, and all seem to attract bees. Mine have just started blooming, and the bumblebees are constantly buzzing around them.
The funnel-shaped flowers show up at a time when there are not many plants blooming. The daylilies are almost finished, the Easter lilies are finished, and the hosta’s lily-like blooms begin. While hostas grow in the shade, a few hours of sunlight will enhance flowering. I usually cut off the spent bloom spikes because I am not interested in getting any hosta seeds. I want all the plant’s energy to go in to making a bigger plant. This photo shows one of my hostas that is growing with holly ferns, Marguerite sweet potatoe vine, and a Night-blooming Jasmine in the background. I have found this to be a good mix for interest of color and leaf shape.
While a single hosta’s bloom may not be spectacular, several planted together can make a wonderful show. Remember hostas aren’t just for foliage.
Always Growing 
Brenda Kula said,
June 11, 2008 at 6:03 pm
I agree. The hosta is one of my favorite plants for its texture and leaf. I have one that is just beautiful, and the others just piddle! But I love yours with the fern. A beautiful combination!
Brenda
Jan said,
June 12, 2008 at 5:47 am
Thanks, Brenda. I found that adding some compost in the spring really helps my hostas. It seems to give them that extra boost to help them grow.
Cindy said,
July 7, 2008 at 1:51 pm
I have hostas (3) growing in my front shade garden. Two of them have sent up the flower spikes but the third’s not going anything. All three of the plants get the same amount of sun (morning), shade and water. I added timed-release fertilizer when I planted them this past May. Can you tell me 1) why you think the third plant hasn’t produced the flower spike and 2) what to do when the flower spikes stop blooming? I’m a novice at this and would appreciate some advice. Thanks!
Jan said,
July 7, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Hi, Cindy. I am assuming that all three hostas are the same variety and size. I’m not sure why one is not blooming, but I have had hostas in my garden not bloom at the same time. Since they are recently planted ones, it may be that the roots were damaged before you bought them. For example, when a plant in a pot wilts from lack of water, some of the roots die. When you take one out of a pot, and the roots are dark brown and not white, those roots are damaged and your plant may take a little while longer to get established. Or that hosta may just be taking a year off.
As for the spent flower spike, I cut mine off to prevent seeds forming. The energy of the plant goes into the seeds, and I want the energy going into making a bigger plant.
I hope this helps.
Jan
Marilyn said,
August 7, 2009 at 10:37 am
I have two hostas (about 6 years) that have never bloomed. They are in a shaded area, one with morning sun. They are both the varitated leaf (white). I’ve tried feeding, and still no blooms
Jan said,
August 8, 2009 at 5:12 am
Marilyn, the only thing I can think of is that they are not getting enough sun. Hostas like shade, but most like some sun, even here in the South. I have found that my hostas that get several hours of sun did better than those that were mostly in shade. While I do like the hosta flowers, the real reason we grow them is for the foliage, so I would not be too upset if flowers don’t show up.