Early-blooming companions for hostas

Spring wildflowers emerge from the ground and bloom before tardy hostas fully unfurl their leaves. Photo/Illustration: Mike Wanke

Hostas are slow to emerge in spring so the area surrounding the plants tends to look bare until they’ve filled in.

One way to achieve a fuller look earlier in the season is to plant spring wildflowers such as Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) and bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) around hostas. The wildflowers come up early and flower before the hostas fill in, then go dormant under the canopy of hosta leaves.