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Many flower growers face difficulties when choosing plants for a shady area. Hosta Fest Frost is the perfect solution for this situation. This is an unusually beautiful deciduous shrub that will be the perfect complement to a flower bed or flower garden.
Description of Hosta Frost Frost
It is a compact deciduous plant. The height of the bush is up to 40 cm, and the width is 60-70 cm. At the same time, the length of the leaves can reach 14-16 cm. It grows best in partial shade, the color of the bush fades in the sun.
The leaves are very dense, dark green in color with a yellow border on the sides. In spring, Frost Frost is brighter. Because of the coloring, it seems that the sheets are covered with frost, which is why the name of the described variety came about.
Hostas “Fest Frost” are medium sprawling. They do not need a garter or the use of supports to give shape. A neat appearance is maintained until late autumn, until the foliage begins to fall from the bush.
The plant has a beautiful border on the leaves, in early spring the border has a yellow color, in summer it is pale milky.
Hosts are not demanding on the composition and nutritional value of the soil. It can stay in one place for up to 20 years. In the future, a transplant is required.
Flowering occurs in late July – early August. During this period, the bush is covered with light lavender flowers. This is another important decorative property of the Frost Frost hosta. Flowering lasts an average of 3 weeks.
The plant tolerates low temperatures well. Therefore, it is popular with flower growers from regions with different climatic conditions. Also, the variety “Fest Frost” is resistant to diseases and pests.
Application in landscape design
Hostas look good in flower beds and flower beds in combination with other ornamental plants. They are often used for framing or zoning areas, as well as for decorating artificial ponds, benches and other summer cottages.
Usually hosts are used to add splendor. Therefore, they are planted in places where there are few bright colors. Hosta is suitable for multi-tiered flower beds and decorative compositions. “Fest Frost” goes well with other varieties.
Among them:
- Francis Williams.
- August.
- Golden Meadows.
- Waid brim.
- Whirlwind.
A flower can become both an independent green plantation and part of a beautiful composition.
Shade-loving hostas also pair well with lavenders, peonies, lilies, daylilies, and gladioli. Representatives of the Frost Frost variety feel comfortable next to phlox, lungwort and irises. Together, these plants can decorate any home garden.
Hosta breeding methods Frost Frost
It is best to increase the number of bushes by cuttings. This procedure should be carried out in April-May, with persistent warming. It is necessary to choose an adult plant and separate several young shoots from it. They are planted in a nutritious soil mixture of river sand, garden soil and peat. When the shoots germinate, they need to be transplanted to a permanent place.
Another proven method of reproduction is the division of the bush. It is very effective for the Frost Frost hosta, as it has a powerful root system.
Division algorithm:
- Dig the bush from all sides.
- Extract it along with the roots.
- Clear underground shoots from soil.
- Rinse the roots in water and let dry for 2-3 hours.
- Divide the hosta into 2 or 3 parts.
- Transfer to a new place in compliance with the landing technology.
Dividing the root system is the most popular way to propagate hostas.
You can propagate the First Frost hybrid hosta using seeds. This is one of the few plant varieties that produces fertile seeds for planting. They are planted in April in a sterile soil mixture. Normally, the seeds germinate after 2-3 weeks. They need to be placed in a place well lit by the sun. Transplantation into the ground is carried out 2 weeks after the appearance of ground shoots.
Landing algorithm
Hosta grows well in all types of soil. It is best planted in a mixture of humus, clay and a small amount of sand.
Landing is recommended in the spring season. When the last frosts have passed, you need to prepare the soil. A hole is dug at the chosen place, 20-30 cm deep and 60 cm wide. This soil is fertilized with organic matter (compost, manure or droppings). You can use ready-made formulations, for example, Kemira-universal.
Landing method:
- Pour the prepared soil into the hole.
- Let it brew for 3-5 days.
- Dig a hole for the seedling.
- Pour a drainage layer (if necessary).
- Place a seedling in the soil mixture so that the roots are at a depth of 5-6 cm from the surface.
- Sprinkle with loose earth.
- Water with a small amount of settled water.
- Sprinkle the surface around the seedling with mulch.
Hostas are shade-loving plants that do not tolerate direct sunlight.
It is not recommended to plant the Frost Hosta in autumn. The reason for this limitation is that the plant may not have time to take root before the onset of frost. The opposite is also possible. Due to warm weather, seedlings form shoots, which in the future will certainly die due to the cold. Therefore, it is better to plant in the spring.
Growing rules
In order for the Frost Frost bush to grow well, complex care is needed. Hostas are not among the demanding plants, however, this does not mean that they do not need to be looked after.
“Fest Frost” is a moisture-loving variety. The plant can suffer from lack of fluid, especially in dry summer weather. The fact that the host is experiencing a lack of water is indicated by the darkening of the tips of the leaves. Excess liquid is also not recommended to prevent stagnation in the roots.
Each bush requires at least 10 liters of water, ideally 30 liters. Then the liquid will saturate the soil by 30-50 cm, providing nourishment to the roots.
For irrigation, use settled water at room temperature. The frequency of the procedure depends on the weather conditions. In drought, you need to produce abundant watering at least 1 time per week.
To ensure the influx of nutrients, it is necessary to periodically feed. To do this, use a complex fertilizer of organic and mineral components.
Periodically fertilize with organic matter
For 1 host you will need:
- cow manure – 10 l;
- ammonium nitrate – 10 g;
- superphosphate – 20 g;
- potassium sulfate – 10 g.
This mixture will provide the necessary nutrients. It is necessary to carry out top dressing in the spring when early shoots appear, after the end of flowering and in late autumn when pruning.
Fertilizers can also be applied by mulching the soil. To do this, use humus, chopped dry grass, bone meal, straw and peat. Mulching is carried out as the soil is compacted 1-2 times a season.
General rules for growing hosta:
Preparation for winter
Variety “Fest Frost” tolerates cold well. But this does not mean that preparation for winter is optional. It starts in August or early September. During this period, you need to cut off all flower stalks so that the host does not waste nutrients on the formation of seeds.
Despite the fact that the plant tolerates frost well, it still needs to be covered with spruce branches.
After this procedure, fertilizer with phosphate and potassium is applied. In this case, the bush itself must be treated with a fungicide to prevent the appearance of pests.
In autumn, before the onset of cold weather, the soil at the base of the bush is mulched with humus, sawdust and mixed with peat. In winter, they will protect the roots from the cold, and in the spring they will serve as additional fertilizer. It is recommended to add tobacco dust to the mulch, as it repels slugs.
Hosta “Fest Frost” is covered for the winter with light brushwood. Fir branches are the best. They hold snow well, creating reliable protection for the bush.
It is not necessary to cut the leaves on the Frost Frost host before winter. This procedure makes the plant weak. It is necessary to remove old leaves in the spring, when new shoots appear.
Diseases and pests
Variety “Fest Frost” is resistant to numerous diseases. However, in rare cases, the plant may suffer due to infections.
Among them:
- gray rot;
- phyllossticosis;
- rust.
These diseases affect the appearance of the leaves, leading them to dehydration. Treatment consists in removing the affected areas and treating the bush with fungicides.
Snails are afraid of the smell of dill and garlic
Of the pests, slugs and snails are dangerous for hostas. To combat them, special baits are used, which are placed in places remote from the bushes. Also use solutions that repel pests. Slugs are afraid of garlic, dill, roasted coffee beans and sage.
Conclusion
Hosta Fest Frost combines excellent decorative qualities, unpretentiousness and ease of cultivation. This variety goes well with other plants, so it is actively used to decorate flower beds and flower beds. Caring for the bushes is not difficult, which is why the hosts have gained great popularity. An important advantage is resistance to cold, pests and diseases, thanks to which the plant remains viable for a long period of time.