Perennials - Hosta
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  (August) I have some hostas and a hydrangea that need to be moved. They are struggling because they get way too much sun. When do I move them-fall or spring?

  I would move them this fall. Let the weather cool off a bit and then make the move. I sometimes recommend waiting until late winter for hydrangeas to get them through the winter with a stronger root system, but if they are in the wrong locale then I would go ahead and make the move. Hydrangeas do best on the east or north side of the house.

  (August) When is the right time to divide Hosta? I have divided mine once two or three years ago and got 11 plants from three. I would like to divide them again to put in a new flower bed but can't remember the right time to divide or the right way to divide.

  Hosta are actively growing spring through fall. They can be divided as they emerge in the spring, or as they decline in the fall. Since fall is the nearest season, as the plants begin to die back, dig and divide. By doing it in the fall, you will also allow them all winter to re-establish roots, so you should have a stronger plant by next spring.

  (August) I would like to know how to divide Hosta's and when? My husband is unable to help me and even though I am not weak, I really can't get them out of the ground to divide. And if I can, when I "chop" them in half, both plants look awful.

  Hosta's can be divided in the fall as they begin dying back, or in the spring as they are emerging. They can form a pretty dense mat of roots, making it tricky to dig up and divide. If you don't want to dig up the whole clump, you can use a straight edged shovel and remove some side shoots. Make sure you get a complete crown when dividing, since they will not do as well if you split the individual crowns.

  (October) I will be moving in November and am wondering if I can dig up some of my hostas and take them with me. If so, should I replant them right away or wait until spring?

  I would replant when you get to the new location. That way, the roots can get established, and you should have a stronger plant for the growing season. If you simply don't have the time because of moving activities, then you can dig up the bulbs, cut the foliage off, and then store them in a container with fairly dry potting soil, in a cool, dry place for the winter. They can also stay outdoors in a container all winter, but don't forget about watering. I would try to make time to replant.

  (November) I have hostas grown that I grew in pots this summer. Should I bring them inside now or let them die back outside? How should they be over-wintered?

  Plant the hostas in the ground if you plan to use them in the landscape, or if you want them as container plants, and if the pots are big enough, leave them in the pots outside where they are. You may need to do some wrapping or protection of the containers during really cold weather, and watering will still be needed, but if the container is large enough, they should be fine. They should not be brought indoors. They need the winter dormancy.

  Will last year's hostas come back again this year? If so, when? Also, I had a simply beautiful lantana last summer - will it come back? I cut it back but I don't see any signs of new growth on it right now. If it is not going to come back this year, can I dig it up - it got pretty big.

Can I expect my jasmine bush to come back - I though it was a perennial.

  Hosta's are definitely perennial, and you should be seeing signs of them poking their nose out of the ground. The lantana is iffy. It used to be considered a perennial years ago. Now, some varieties will come back on a regular basis while others never do. As a rule, I wouldn't count on it. But give it a chance and see what happens. As for the jasmine, it also depends on what variety. If it was a star jasmine, a summer bloomer, they would only be marginally hardy in south Arkansas. Our mild winters have allowed others to come back throughout the state, but see what happens.

  My hosta plants appeared quite ill at the end of the summer, leaves yellow and weak. To give them a boost next year, should I have already, or need to still, trim all the leaves and stalks back to the base of the plant?

  Hostas die back to the ground every year, and when they begin their decline in the end of summer or fall, cut them off and clean out the beds. Some remain pretty right up to the killing frost, while others begin dying back earlier. It is possible the dry, hot weather of our summer could have attributed to their early decline this summer. They like a shady, moist environment.

  Will the hostas plants that grow here, grow and bloom in southern California? If so, when should they be planted?

  Hostas will be a challenge the further south you go in California. They will go dormant even where winters are mild, and need a shady, moist, humus-rich environment.

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