By Susan McCabe, Extension Master Gardener serving Fulton, Mason, Peoria and Tazewell counties

I used to dislike Hosta very much. I thought, "They are just green!" But I finally began to see their beauty over the years of growing flowers. Now, I love the definitions of color, the shades of color, and their steadfastness. 

I soon outgrew the area where I had to plant them, which led me to plant them in pots. First, I planted a few pots to elevate above others in my Hosta garden. Then, I planted the pots on the steps leading up to my deck. 

That led to my placing some under the overhang in my front yard. Gradually, I needed more space, and I put some around the perimeter of a tree in my front yard.

So, what did I do with them in the winter? I initially placed the few plants in the garage, where I might water them once during the winter. That worked fine until my garage couldn't hold the car and the Hosta.  

A huge plant sale in the spring and hundreds of Hosta plants left me wondering if I couldn't just bury pots under a massive pile of heavily mulched leaves. It was worth a try. Hardy perennials have roots that sleep until the following spring, when they grow again. This process allows that to happen. I knew the preferred way of sinking pots in the ground was not an option for me. So, I tipped the pots on their sides so that water would not accumulate in the pot and put them under an overhang next to the house. Covering the pots with about a foot of heavily shredded leaves gives them a winter environment within our hardiness zone. I buried close to 1,000 pots and came out with most of them surviving.  

So, where do I get all of those leaves? I collect them off of my neighbors' lawns, and I have been known to pick up bags full of leaves sitting on the street. I rely heavily on a good layer of shredded leaves for all of my gardens, too!