Hostas, with their beautiful foliage and low-maintenance nature, are beloved by many gardeners. However, keeping these ornamental plants pristine can be a challenge when faced with a barrage of animal pests. From deer munching on tender leaves to snails leaving behind small holes, there’s no shortage of potential threats to your hosta garden.
But fear not! There are various ways to protect your hostas and maintain their beauty throughout the growing season. Let’s explore the best methods for keeping animals at bay and preserving your precious hosta leaves.
What animal is doing the eating?
Before diving into solutions, it’s essential to understand the common culprits that target hostas.
- Slugs and snails are the number one culprit where I live, leaving them riddled with holes and unsightly damage, as well as the obvious slime trail!
- Deer love hosta foliage, often causing lots of damage to plants in their feeding frenzy
- Rabbits also pose a threat, leaving behind chewed leaves and rabbit droppings as evidence of their presence. Rabbits can chew higher than you think as they can stand up on their hind legs to reach juicy leaves
- Mice and other rodents, damage tends to be at ground level, in early spring mice are collecting new leaves for nest building
- Beetles including blister beetles, and leaf beetles can feast on hosta leaves
- Squirrels tend to dig holes at the base of the plant for their acorns, they don’t inflict a lot of damage
Damage assessment
Inspecting your hostas regularly is key to addressing any issues promptly. Observe the plants and their surroundings to get an understanding of what is going on.
Look for signs of animal pests such as damaged leaves, chew marks, or evidence of feeding habits.
Animal poo, slime trails, insect eggs on the underside of leaves all give clues as to what is actually causing the problem. The best way to solve the problem is to start by knowing what creature is most likely to be causing the problem. Having said that it can sometimes be tricky, rabbit poo and deer poo look very similar, so you might have to look very closely. Remember that rabbit poo is rounder, deer poo is a bit more elongated.
Keep an eye out for other indicators of trouble, such as fungal infections, crown rot, or viral infections, which can weaken the plants and make them more susceptible to animal damage. Slugs and snails will always prefer a weaker plant, this is because of their role in the food chain which is to be the composters, breaking down dead and dying things. Make sure that you are growing hostas in healthy soil that has regular addition of homemade compost or well rotted manure as mulch to provide essential nutrients to the soil and enable healthy vigorous plant growth.
Creating a Hosta-Friendly Environment
Once you know what you are dealing with you can start to make some changes to the environment to make it less inviting to potential pests.
I always prefer the most natural solution, and one that has multiple benefits. For me one of the first things to consider is companion planting. Here are some ideas that I have used, always remember that you will need something that grows well in your climate.
- Plants that will deter the pests; hellebores, rhubarb and jasmine are good options to try to reduce deer damage, PLUS we love to eat rhubarb and the smell of jasmine brings joy
- Plants that will be preferred by the pests; hawthorn and hazel are loved by rabbits AND is great for wildlife
- Plants that will attract natural predators and beneficial species (birds and insects) into the garden to deter the garden pests; hawthorn and hazel fit this category
Slugs and snails
Understanding the role of slugs and snails in the ecosystem is fundamental to finding ways to combat them. They do have a purpose, and that is to clear debris. So weak plants are ALWAYS favoured. The most effective way I have found to deal with them is to plant sacrificial plants where lots of snails can gather and feed over a period of time. I then cut the plant down and remove it with all the snails intact. This could be a sacrificial hosta to protect the others.
There are lots of slug and snail ideas to try including beer traps (that they can fall into and die) and rough or uncomfortable things they don’t like travelling over such as egg shells, diatomaceous earth or copper tape. The other effective method I have used is to gather slugs and snails by hand and physically remove them. I do this either at night with a torch, or just after rain in early spring.
Smells and aromas
Strong smells and aromas can help to deter pests, sprinkle cayenne pepper or coffee grounds around the base of the plants. The strong scent and taste can deter animals from feeding on the leaves. The main problem with this type of solution is that it needs to be done very regularly to be effective, and as soon as it rains your protection is washed away.
Physical barriers
Netting, in some cases deer, mice and rabbits can be kept at bay by covering your plants with netting. Visually you may not like this solution! But it is practical.
Fencing can be a good idea to protect hostas from deer and rabbits. Fencing can be expensive and time consuming to install, so it is important to have identified the pest and tried other solutions first.
My favourite kind of deer fencing would be an edible fencing for the deer to browse, but that just gently deflects their trajectory so that they end up browsing and walking away from, rather than towards my hostas.
Targeted Treatments
If your hostas are suffering from specific pests like foliar nematodes or vine weevil grubs, targeted treatments may be necessary. Applying nematodes or parasitic nematodes to the soil can help control nematode populations and protect the roots of hosta plants. For vine weevil grubs, using biological control agents or insecticides labeled for their control can help prevent damage to hosta roots.
Keeping the garden tidy
In addition to chemical and natural deterrents, certain gardening practices can help minimize animal damage to hostas. Removing dead leaves and debris from the garden area can eliminate hiding spots for pests and reduce the risk of fungal infections. Pruning lower leaves can also deter pests by removing potential feeding sites.
Maintaining Vigilance
While preventative measures can go a long way in protecting your hostas, it’s essential to remain vigilant throughout the growing season. Keep an eye on new growth and be prepared to take action at the first sign of trouble. Regularly inspect your hostas for signs of damage and address any issues promptly to prevent further harm.
Conclusion
Protecting your hostas from animal pests requires a combination of preventative measures, targeted treatments, and ongoing vigilance. By creating a hosta-friendly environment, implementing protective measures, and staying proactive in your garden maintenance, you can enjoy beautiful hosta foliage free from the ravages of hungry wildlife. With a little effort and diligence, you can ensure that your hostas thrive and continue to brighten your garden for years to come.