Eric Jenkins 'The Hosta man' with tips on raising Hostas

[June 01, 2015]  LINCOLN - The arrival of spring also heralds the arrival of planting season with many getting out and working in their flowerbeds and gardens. One popular spring plant that grows well in this area is the Hosta, which comes in many varieties. For those interested in planting Hostas, Eric Jenkins, known by some as 'the hosta man' is the one to call.

Jenkins, owner of the Stems and Limbs nursery, is a degreed Horticulturist with wide and varied experience, having done an internship at the Missouri Botanical Garden and maintaining the private residence of its director, Dr. Peter Raven.

Recently, he bought all the inventory from a nearby hosta nursery. Jenkin says, “My company 'Stems and Limbs' carries about 220 varieties. “ He reports that “They come in various leaf shapes, sizes, and colors. In this area, any variety can grow, but some do better in shade and others in the sun.”

Jenkins states that Hostas are good plants because of their easy maintenance and so many varieties. In addition, they come back every year, which saves money, plus you can divide them up and give them to friends.

He notes that there are more than 4,000 varieties and they are developing even more through hybridizing and tissue culturing every year. Tissue culturing develops them exponentially almost like the mad scientist on “Little Shop of Horrors.”

Though not everyone fertilizes Hostas, Jenkins says he fertilizes the Hostas fairly aggressively once or twice a month to keep them hardy.

Though there is some debate about whether to use mulch with Hostas, Jenkins notes that he mulches but says it is important that you do not put more than two inches around the Hostas. Too much mulch can cause problems with pests.

Jenkins says that certain types of Hostas do better in various areas around the house and notes that though most grow best in the shade, some can tolerate a bit of sun.

For border/edger planting, he recommends Mini or Small Hostas such as Gemstone, Baby Booties, Ladybug. For background planting, he recommends the varieties Sum and Substance, Victory, and Blue Angel. For ground cover planting, it is the same as Mini or Small--Curly Fries, Lemontini, Giantland Mouse, and Cheese. According to a site all about Hostas, border/edger planting and ground cover planting can also prevent weed growth

You can call Eric Jenkins at [phone] (which is a local number) for questions about Hostas or to set up an appointment.

[Angela Reiners]