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

Thank you to Susan McCabe for sharing her method of overwintering hostas in pots. Susan is an Extension Master Gardener. 

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!