Hostas are popular shade garden plants, often chosen for their diverse foliage. Many gardeners wonder about the role these plants play in supporting pollinators. While their lush leaves are a primary attraction, hostas do produce flowers that can contribute to a garden’s ecosystem. This article explores the specific ways hostas interact with pollinators and how gardeners can enhance these benefits.
Understanding Hosta Flowers and Pollinators
Hosta flowers typically appear on tall stalks (scapes) above the foliage. These blooms are bell-shaped or trumpet-shaped, in shades of white, lavender, or purple. Individual flowers last only a day, but multiple flowers on a scape open gradually over several weeks, providing an extended bloom period from mid-summer to late summer, with some varieties blooming into early fall.
Hosta flowers produce both nectar and pollen, making them a food source for various insects. These resources attract pollinators, though their appeal varies. Some varieties are more floriferous (producing abundant flowers) or have more fragrant blooms, such as Hosta plantaginea with its large, fragrant white flowers. While hostas offer moderate pollinator benefits compared to plants specifically cultivated for that purpose, they can still be valuable in a diverse garden.
Key Pollinators Drawn to Hostas
Hosta flowers attract a range of pollinators due to flower structure and nectar accessibility. Hummingbirds are notably drawn to hostas’ tubular or bell-shaped, nectar-rich flowers; their tall stems allow easy access. Many hosta cultivars, including ‘Frances Williams’, ‘August Moon’, ‘First Frost’, ‘Halcyon’, and ‘Regal Splendor’, produce purple or pinkish-purple flowers that appeal to hummingbirds.
Long-tongued bees, such as bumblebees, also visit hosta flowers, as their long tongues reach nectar deep within the blooms. Hostas provide nectar but are not a primary pollen source for bees. Moths, especially nocturnal species, are attracted to fragrant, pale-colored hosta flowers, which help them locate blooms in low light; Hosta plantaginea is known to attract night pollinators. Short-tongued bees and many butterflies may find it challenging to access the nectar due to the flower’s depth.
Enhancing Hosta’s Pollinator Benefits
To maximize hostas’ pollinator potential, gardeners can take several steps. Selecting varieties known for abundant or fragrant flowers increases their appeal; Hosta plantaginea and its hybrids, like ‘Honey Bells’ and ‘Fragrant Bouquet’, are known for large, sweet-scented flowers that attract pollinators.
Allowing hosta flowers to bloom fully provides a continuous food source for pollinators throughout the summer. Leaving flower stalks intact supports wildlife, even if some gardeners remove them for foliage emphasis. Strategic placement, such as near other pollinator-friendly plants, makes flowers accessible and visible, encouraging visits. Avoid harmful pesticides, which negatively affect pollinators. Consistent water supply, especially during dry periods, promotes healthier plants and robust flowering, indirectly benefiting pollinators; hosta leaves can also collect water droplets for insects.
Integrating Hostas into a Pollinator Garden
Hostas attract some pollinators but function best as part of a diverse planting scheme, not as the sole pollinator plant. They primarily offer shade, shelter, and nectar, but not typically host plants for butterfly or moth larvae. A robust pollinator garden includes a variety of plants offering continuous bloom and a steady supply of nectar and pollen.
Complementary shade-loving plants enhance a hosta garden’s pollinator appeal. Options include:
Astilbe, which attracts bees, butterflies, and moths
Coral bells (Heuchera) with flowers that hummers love
Foamflower
Native woodland phlox, offering early season nectar
Bleeding hearts (Dicentra spectabilis)
Various native shade plants
Combining hostas with plants offering more substantial pollinator benefits creates a more vibrant, supportive habitat. Hostas, with their foliage and moderate floral contribution, support a well-planned, biodiverse garden.