Hosta Containers and Companions
Carolyn’s Shade Gardens is a retail nursery located in Bryn Mawr, PA, specializing in showy, colorful, and unusual plants for shade. The only plants that we ship are snowdrops and miniature hostas. For catalogues and announcements of events, please send your full name, location, and phone number (for back up use only) to carolyn@carolynsshadegardens.com. Click here to get to the home page of our website for catalogues and information about our nursery and to subscribe to our blog.
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When finding containers for your hostas you have to think outside the box: “Carolyn’s Gold” hosta in an antique kerosene can.
This is the third post in a three-part series on small hostas. My nursery specializes in miniature hostas, and I have over 30 varieties available right now, both at the nursery and mail order. In I LOVE Mice, I raved about the mouse ears series of hostas. In Beyond Mice, I highlighted some of my favorite non-mouse ears hostas. My 2011 post Miniature (& Small) Hostas also gives an overview of little hostas and how to use them in the garden. Now I want to focus on the containers you might use to hold your hostas and the plants that will keep them company.
Probably my favorite medium sized hosta, the straight species Hosta tokudama.
Why would you want to grow hostas in a container? One reason I do it is to highlight a hosta’s very special ornamental attributes. I think Hosta tokudama (photo above) is gorgeous so I grow it in a pot outside my front door. Here are some other hostas that I think merit their own container (read my previous hosta posts for photos of other single hosta containers):
Hosta ‘Little Miss Sunshine’ has bright gold leaves and deep red stems that look like rhubarb. I placed its pot on a wall by my front walk so I can admire the stems up close.
The elegant hosta ‘Hanky Panky’ grows in an old dogwood stump, also along my front walk.
I love the very unusual hosta ‘Praying Hands’ and have it in three different containers, here with violas.
There is no other miniature hosta that looks like ‘Sparkler’ so I gave it its own spot in an antique metal pitcher salvaged from the dump.
Small hostas can get lost when planted in perennial borders unless they are massed. Growing special miniature hostas in containers brings them up to eye level. Here are 16 miniatures in my strawberry pot:
It also allows you to pair them with other miniature plants to create a tiny garden. My previous posts contain many photos of my containers of little hostas. However, I thought I would show you some of the planters I have recently created to give my customers ideas and to sell at my upcoming hosta open house:
All these containers were purchased inexpensively at flea markets and antique stores or were salvaged from the dump at the bottom of our property. You probably have a suitable pot, pan, or other hosta garden holder gathering dust in your attic right now.
Hosta gardens waiting at Carolyn’s Shade Gardens for a new home.
Choosing tiny companion plants to go with your miniature hostas is another fun part of growing them in containers or in a rock garden. Plant collecting urges are satisfied by all the plants that can be crammed into a small area. In the planters above, I used violas, sedums, hens and chicks, ‘Heartthrob’ violet, ‘Tiny Rubies’ dianthus, and pasque flower (Pulsatilla). Here are some more combinations:
Hostas ‘Shiny Penny’, ‘Green Eyes’, and ‘Itsy Bitsy Spider’ paired with sedum, hens and chicks, and rosularia in my dish garden.
Mouse ears hostas with dwarf Solomon’s seal, Polygonatum humile, in my stone trough.
Hostas ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ and ‘Blonde Elf’ with miniature lady fern, Athyrium filix-femina ‘Minutissimum’, in the rock garden.
Hostas ‘Little Blue’, ‘Blonde Elf’, and ‘Little Wonder’ with a small epimedium in the rock garden.
Gardening with tiny plants and salvaged containers is so much fun. I hope you will give it a try.
Carolyn
Nursery Happenings: If you are interested in receiving miniature hostas mail order, click here.
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CAROLYN'S SHADE GARDENS 
May 10, 2012 at 7:32 am
Hostas and violas are a combination I’m going to try. I love all the containers you use. You inspired me.
May 10, 2012 at 7:39 am
Mary, Next year I am going to buy a bunch of violas to use in the planters I sell to my customers. I really love them (and they are so superior to pansies). Carolyn
May 11, 2012 at 6:27 pm
What a beautiful post. I’d never thought of Hostas and Violas, but what an effective combination. Tim
May 10, 2012 at 7:53 am
How absolutely gorgeous these containers are – unique and so beautifully designed with plants. Just the right thing to bring interest to any dull corner. Thanks for these ideas!
May 10, 2012 at 8:11 am
I just love the enamel containers – did you drill holes in the bottom?
May 10, 2012 at 8:25 am
Barbie, We drilled numerous holes in the bottom and then put in a layer of gravel before adding the potting soil. glad you liked them. Carolyn
May 10, 2012 at 9:19 am
These are so beautiful , you did a great job.. serious plant envy! Jeannine
May 10, 2012 at 9:25 am
Thanks for sharing these photos and great ideas! I have several mini hostas and it is kind of hard to make them ‘stand out’ when placed in regular beds; plus, I’m wondering if keeping them in containers could help prevent slugs from getting them…I need to try some of your ideas. I have dwarf solomons seal in a regular sized bed and it doesn’t stand out that much either. Guess I have some rearranging to do:-) But only after I finish planting the many plants I purchased weeks ago and am trying to get in the ground. I’ve been working in the garden daily and can’t seem to find time to blog anymore;( So much going on that I get ‘lost’ when I think about uploading photos! Take care, Jan
May 10, 2012 at 12:36 pm
This would be a great idea for people here you have shady balconies or terraces; they are always looking for plants for shade and I don’t think many would think of Hostas. Another great post
May 10, 2012 at 8:46 pm
Christina, You are right—these planters are great for people who garden on terraces or balconies or just in small spaces because they can fit in a lot of plants. Carolyn
May 10, 2012 at 2:33 pm
I love these ideas for containers. The mini hostas arrived yesterday and I will be planting them in a cement dish container this weekend. They are gorgeous.
May 10, 2012 at 8:47 pm
Donna, I am so glad that you are happy with your miniature hosta order. Maybe more people will order some from me :-). I hope you will send photos of the planter. Carolyn
May 11, 2012 at 7:26 am
will do and I will add it to my next post…
May 10, 2012 at 3:12 pm
How interesting! The antique kerosene can is inspired, but my favorite is the pitcher! What beautiful pictures. I have a couple of hostas, but they’re one of the few plants in my garden that are actually in the ground.
May 10, 2012 at 8:48 pm
BL, I love the pitcher too. The white really picks up the unique white stripe in ‘Sparkler’ hosta. Carolyn
May 10, 2012 at 7:20 pm
I LOVE the creativity. What can one do with the containers in the winter?
May 10, 2012 at 8:50 pm
Debbie, I leave all my containers outside for the winter unless the container itself can’t take freezing like terra cotta. The hostas are fine through the winter outside in a pot. They actually multiply faster. Carolyn
July 17, 2020 at 2:22 pm
How cold does it get for you that you can leave your containers out in winter?
July 18, 2020 at 12:48 pm
It can get down to zero or below but mostly the low will be 10 degrees. The hostas are fine. You have to worry about the contIners. Terra cotta or poorly made ceramic containers will crack. Good glazed containers, metal, concrete, etc are fine.
May 10, 2012 at 8:30 pm
I like the praying hands in the container with violas. I may have to dig up my praying hands and put it in a pot to really show it off. I really like the solomon’s seal, fern and hosta combo.
May 10, 2012 at 8:51 pm
Karin, The fern is new to me this year, but the dwarf Solomon’s seal loves it in a pot. It actually multiplies much faster when contained. Carolyn
May 10, 2012 at 9:20 pm
Love the metal pitcher! The shape of the foliage works so perfectly with it
May 11, 2012 at 7:20 am
Karen, Thanks. It took a while wandering through the hosta choices with the pitcher in hand to find the right hosta. Carolyn
May 10, 2012 at 9:26 pm
How do you protect your containers over the Winter?
May 11, 2012 at 7:22 am
Marilyn, I leave all my containers outside over the winter except the ones that I think might crack from freezing. The hostas will overwinter outside in our area. Carolyn
May 10, 2012 at 9:29 pm
Your combos are very well done. I wished I lived closer, as I would probably be a regular.
I work for plants! lol
May 11, 2012 at 7:23 am
Greg, I sell the miniature hostas mailorder. Click here. Carolyn
May 10, 2012 at 11:41 pm
Love the one in the stone trough!! And the violets are just perfect companions.
I have been thinking about doing Hostas in containers for a while, but didn’t know if they will tolerate Ohio winters. I see you said you leave yours out but I know you are in a different zone. I guess I should try it with a hosta I wouldn’t care to lose before I buy some of the more valuable ones.
May 11, 2012 at 7:25 am
Pearl, I am in zone 7A (until recently 6B). Yes, you should experiment with a less expensive hosta. It is also important how big the container is. Sometimes if we are getting really cold weather I will take one or two of the tiny containers into my unheated garage for a day or two. I don’t think I need to do this (and I ofter forget) but it makes me feel better. Carolyn
May 11, 2012 at 8:04 am
Carolyn, what do you do with them (the hiostas in containers) in winter? I have a shallow fountain base in my shade garden that would make a wonderful planter, but I’m concerned about winter…. it would be very heavy and cumbersome to try to move it to the garage.
May 11, 2012 at 9:00 am
Cathy, In my zone, I leave them out in the winter as long as the container won’t freeze and crack. You have to have drainage holes in the bottom of the container. Drill a lot of holes and also place the container on an uneven surface or raise it up off the flat surface slightly so it can drain. Carolyn
May 11, 2012 at 3:03 pm
Carolyn – After reading this post I’m tempted to go outside, dig out my hosta from the flower bed and plant it in a pot.
Do you leave the roots in the pots during winter ?
May 11, 2012 at 6:30 pm
Bag, Are you telling me that you only have one hosta :-)? The hostas stay in the pots outside over the winter. Carolyn
May 11, 2012 at 10:59 pm
I love the miniature gardens! Many are little worlds unto themselves. I also love the hostas in the strawberry jar! I wouldn’t have thought of that. Great idea!
May 12, 2012 at 6:54 am
Deb, You said it perfectly, creating the little hosta gardens is like making a miniature plant world—so fun. Carolyn
May 12, 2012 at 11:16 pm
Carolyn you asked about my new rain barrel. It will catch rain through the top, but since it is not connected to a downspout, that would be a slow process. I have pre-filled it with water and it will serve as a water reservoir to keep the water handy.
May 13, 2012 at 9:44 am
Thanks, it is really beautiful.
May 13, 2012 at 6:02 am
I never get weary of your Hosta posts Carolyn. I like them in pots, as well as looking good it keeps the slugs away. Now, I wonder if I also have a pot that looks like an elephant.
May 13, 2012 at 9:45 am
Alistair, That is funny. You and I are the only ones who have mentioned the elephant resemblance. Carolyn
May 13, 2012 at 5:38 pm
Carolyn, I love all the old recycled containers. Great way to reuse old items and they look wonderful too. Do you drill holes in the bottoms of the metal containers?
May 13, 2012 at 8:21 pm
Marguerite, Yes, holes were drilled in the bottom plus a layer of gravel. Carolyn
May 13, 2012 at 8:02 pm
The containers look great, but did you drill holes in the bottom for drainage? I really like the mouse ear hostas and need to find a spot for one. 🙂
May 13, 2012 at 8:22 pm
CM, Everyone needs at least one mouse ears hosta. See answer to Marguerite and others re holes. Carolyn
May 13, 2012 at 10:03 pm
What precious hostas. We went to the Shadracks’ when we were at the Buffalo Garden Bloggers Fling and I fell in love with those tiny hostas. In Central Texas with our 70 days over 100 and excessive drought, deer bulb-loving dogs, I have struggled with them. I love the idea of trying them in containers. Look forward to seeing you in Asheville next week.
May 14, 2012 at 6:31 am
Diana, I would love to see the Shadrack’s garden. I have their book Little Hostas. See you in Asheville. Carolyn
May 14, 2012 at 3:19 pm
I love these ideas!! I saw the plants Donna bought from you – beautiful Carolyn!! So wish I could order from you :).
May 15, 2012 at 4:08 pm
Christine, The shipping would probably be prohibitive to South Africa :-). So nice of Donna to show my miniature hostas. Carolyn
May 15, 2012 at 5:29 pm
Carolyn, I think I have figured out how to leave a comment on a WordPress blog…without having to sign in to WordPress. It took some ‘doing’ and ‘undoing’…apparently I ‘did’ have a WP acct. in 2010 but I never used it. If this comment goes through, it means I should be able to leave comments at last…finally…
May 15, 2012 at 8:56 pm
Jan, I am glad you got the comment problem straightened out. I hope you will pass on what you learned to other bloggers who are having this problem. Carolyn
May 15, 2012 at 7:22 pm
Carolyn, I definitely want to give using small hostas in containers a go. My only concern is overwintering the containers. Do I need to shelter them or protect them in some way?
May 15, 2012 at 8:54 pm
Jennifer, In my zone 7A, I leave them out all winter without protection as long as the container is OK. Carolyn
May 15, 2012 at 8:17 pm
You have given me some great ideas in this post. I like the idea of using a strawberry jar…I have just the one to try. This has been a fantastic series, Carolyn.
May 15, 2012 at 8:55 pm
SB, You can probably tell that I really enjoy these little hostas so it’s fun to write about and photograph them. Carolyn
May 21, 2012 at 10:37 pm
Loved all these hosta ideas. Great blog! Wish I’d had more time to visit with you at Fling12 🙂
May 22, 2012 at 8:40 pm
Barbara, Thanks for stopping by. Yes, the fling was a whirl wind. Carolyn
May 23, 2012 at 11:45 am
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May 8, 2016 at 6:13 am
Carolyn, You have a creative and unique range of planters – assume you make drainage holes in all of them? I only keep hostas in pots surrounded by gravel to control slug and snail damage – what do you do about these gastropods? I organic spray with nematodes.
p.s. have ‘followed’ you since Blotanical days and every so often like to pop by to see what is growing in your garden – always a treat
May 8, 2016 at 6:38 am
Laura, I do make drainage holes in all the containers if they don’t have one. I don’t really have problems with slugs although that might change this year as it has been raining for two weeks and I am finding a lot of them. Had forgotten all about Blotanical! Carolyn
May 8, 2016 at 6:45 am
ahh the good old days 😉
December 20, 2020 at 7:07 pm
[…] Gardens whose blog I love and highly recommend. (You can see Carolyn’s strawberry pot here: https://carolynsshadegardens.com/2012/05/10/hosta-containers-and-companions/). It was my first attempt at displaying minis in containers and still one of my […]