Hostas Are Edible So Add Them To The Menu

Hostas, so prolific, and so perfect for that shady place in the garden.  The varieties seem to be endless, and collectors are always seeking the next rare specimen.

Hostas grow on you

To be honest, I was not always big fan. A house I moved into had several varieties in the garden, then I noticed the neighbours had the same varieties, and as I walked through the town, everyone had the same varieties. I guessed sharing was caring in this town. 

Then some years later I understood because I brought bags of divided hostas to work to give away to my co-workers. Hostas are prolific and need to be divided every few years.    I grew to appreciate unifying force hostas brought to the garden.

Hostas are like the united nations of plants, bringing many plants together while remaining a focal point, and acting as a bold border around delicate plants.

They make amazing floral arrangements and do well in planters, as well as grow in those dark, damp areas, tolerating most soils as long as they are well watered and there is good drainage.    I was even gifted a variety, which became a favourite, called  Striptease. I call it a minimalist hosta.

The classification

Many plants in the plant world have had classification updates.  The present genus to which Hostas  belong is the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Agavoideae. It is herbaceous plant.

USDA zone 3-9

Frost hardy perennials are the go to foliage for shady garden areas.  They can provide striking colours, from blue hues to yellow shades in leaf, and stately flowers.

Pests

Holes on your hosta leaves are a sign of slugs, snails or earwigs. They find hostas edible too. I have used various remedies and all seem to work to some extent. Solutions range from copper pennies, eggshells or sliced onions around the plant, or tin cans with some sweet solution, even diluted mint oil sprayed on the plant will do the trick.

Origins

Hostas originated in China and moved across Asia. It was from Japan that many of the varieties reached Europe and became the popular  shade garden plants they are today.  It was also in Japan that many varieties were foraged for consumption.

Edible Plantain Lily

It is great to find, in these times a new dish for the plate. I am a great believer in the grow your own food movement, and looking at the contemporary garden, there are usually plants which are edible, and aesthetically pleasing at the same time. Hostas as food, are hiding in plain sight.

The time to harvest your hostas is when they are are about 2 inches out of the ground, or when the new shoots are still tightly bound.

Try to harvest so you can maintain the desired shape of plant. This is a great way to control the plant and will delay the need for division. Make sure the plants you use are free of pesticides and other other harmful chemicals.

How to cook Hostas

Cooked hostas taste like a cross between asparagus and spring onion, but I can only speak to the plantain type hosta which flourishes in my garden. It is delicious and I will share the recipe with you.