Hostas Under Cedars? (house, live in, garden)

[txtoal]

I would have put this under the garden forum but figured that people from TX would know better. I have cedars that have put out alot of shade, pretty much all shade. I want to plant hostas under the cedars but it that a good idea? Would they live even though they get shade?

[CptnRn]

Hostas usually do pretty well in the shade. I'm not sure how they would do under cedars, I heard years ago that cedar needles or oil tends to poison the soil for other plants. I'm not sure if that is true, but just thought I'd mention it. A quick web search indicates that there might be some truth to that but also produced some conflicting results. It might be best to plant one and see how it does before you plant a bunch of them.

I planted about 8 hostas 2+ weeks ago on the north side of a wood fence, which shades the area, and below an oak tree, which also shades it most of the day. The hosta's have doubled in size since I planted them and seem to be doing just fine.

Here are some other shade tolerant plants recommended for Central Texas. Central Texas Gardener - Shade Plants (Multiple Gardeners)

[txtoal]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

Hostas usually do pretty well in the shade. I'm not sure how they would do under cedars, I heard years ago that cedar needles or oil tends to poison the soil for other plants. I'm not sure if that is true, but just thought I'd mention it. A quick web search indicates that there might be some truth to that but also produced some conflicting results. It might be best to plant one and see how it does before you plant a bunch of them.

I planted about 8 hostas 2+ weeks ago on the north side of a wood fence, which shades the area, and below an oak tree, which also shades it most of the day. The hosta's have doubled in size since I planted them and seem to be doing just fine.

Here are some other shade tolerant plants recommended for Central Texas. Central Texas Gardener - Shade Plants (Multiple Gardeners)

This is what I was wondering. I have one hosta and I will plant it and see how it does. I am looking for something perennial, don't want to plant a bunch of annuals on an acre. The less I have to do each year the better! I do have a rock garden on the north side of our house that gets full shade also. I might try to get hostas to grow there also, it is just a matter of removing the rocks, etc. Thanks so much for the list, I will have to check it out since I am familiar with only about 5 items on it.

[CptnRn]

Does anyone else know if there is any truth to the idea that cedars poison the ground for other plants that might try to grow there?

[Kibby]

I have 4 beds full of hostas - some I've had for over 30 years and were rescue plants from another location.

Hostas don't do particularly well in the coastal areas that don't get enough cold weather for them to go dormant - I've never heard of a problem with planting them under cedars, but I also don't remember the question ever coming up.

There are a lot of shade plants that do well in Texas (I live in North Texas).
Holly fern and painted ferns do well. Certain varieties of coral bells do well. Violets will grow most anywhere - both the large white and the small purple.

Talk to a local nursery that has somebody that knows their stuff.