Hosta La Vista Planting Guide & Support

Thank you for your business! From field to home, your new plant has been expertly grown, selected, packed and shipped directly to you.

Please see below for tips to success to enjoy a beautiful and vigorous plant in your garden. And remember, we are here to help answer your questions.

When you order bare root plants, they will arrive without any soil and in a dormant condition. This is a very safe and time-tested way to ship plants. To keep the roots moist, bare root plants will be wrapped in a bag with packing materials. If you ordered more than one plant, they may be bundled together for extra protection during shipping.

After planting your new bare root plant, it's normal to wait for up to 5-6 weeks for it to break dormancy and produce buds. During this time, it's essential to keep a close eye on the plants for any signs of life and ensure they are well-watered.ure they are well-watered.

It is best to plant your bare root plants as soon as you receive them. But if you are unable to plant them right away, you can take a few steps to keep them healthy. Begin by opening the bag and sprinkling the roots with water. Make sure that the roots are always moist and covered with plastic or moist mulch.

After that, you can recover the roots with the bag and store them in a cool place like your garage floor. Try to keep the storage time minimal to avoid any damage to the plant. If you need to store the bare root plants for over a week, you can dig a small trench in a shady location and bury the roots. Make sure to keep the roots moist until you are ready to plant them.

To plant your new plant, start by filling a bucket with water and soaking the roots for up to 24 hours while you prepare the planting hole. Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball and just deep enough to fit all the roots.  It's important not to plant the tree too deep. Look for the main stem or trunk and ensure that all of it is above ground. Place the plant roots in the hole and gently spread them apart, then backfill with the loosened dirt and gently press the soil around the plant. Water the plant thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots. Add mulch around the plant to a depth of two inches, but be careful not to let the mulch touch the stem or trunk of the plant. During the first season, it's important to regularly check the soil around the plant. If the soil two inches down is dry to the touch, water the plant well. If it's moist, skip watering for that day. Remember not to overwater your plants!

Depending on the season, your potted plant may be dormant. Trim any damaged branches or leaves.

When you receive your container-grown plant, submerge it in a bucket of water until it stops bubbling. Bring it out and allow the excess water to drain away. It is crucial not to plant the plant too deep. Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the plant, and just deep enough to accommodate the entire plant. At the bottom of your planting hole, sprinkle a pinch of bone meal.

To safely remove your plant from its container or grow bag, gently lift it out without disturbing the soil around its roots. You can then place the plant in the hole you have prepared for it and fill the remaining space with the loosened dirt. Be sure to press the soil around the plant gently and water it thoroughly to fully saturate the soil. Afterward, spread mulch around the plant to a depth of 2 inches, but make sure it doesn't touch the stem of the plant. During the first season, regularly check the soil around your plants. Water them well when the soil is dry to the touch two inches down, but skip watering if it's moist. Remember not to overwater your plants!

In the first week after planting, it's important to check the soil regularly to know when to water. You can do this by using the Finger Test. If the soil feels dry, it's time to give your plant a deep drink of water. If the soil feels moist, check back the next day before watering.

For the first few months, your plants will need regular watering to ensure they survive and grow healthily. Deep watering or rain each week is ideal. During extremely hot weather, use the Finger Test to avoid over or under-watering. Water the soil at the base of your plant and avoid getting water on the leaves if possible.