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Growing Hostas in the South?
Some of the more reliable that require a shorter cold dormancy are any of the fragrant hostas, like: Royal Standard, Guacomole, Fried Green Tomatoes, So Sweet, Fragrant Bouquet, Honeybells, and H. Plantagiven. Others that will do well are H. Ventricosa, Underlata, Tardiflora, and Sum and Substance. There are small hostas that do well which are: Gold Flash, Kabitar, and Peedee. Mulch well. And, do not over fertilize. Some questions from Emily's mailbox:
A: Hostas area great perennial to grow.....and since they disappear for the winter, I would choose some shrubs that would be a permanent display all year round. Since I do not know what zone you are writing from.....it is hard to recommend what might grow best for you. Most nurseries are responsible enough to only sell plant material that grow in your particular area. I would be careful what the big boxes are offering. Sometimes they forget 'where' they are selling. You probably want to consider something dwarf or small in statue. Like an ornament cherry, fruit tree. Or a Japanese Maple, spirea, even if this creates some shade the hostas will tolerate it quite well, and probably welcome it. If you choose perennials......phlox, foxgloves would be nice an they get around 3-4 feet tall. Then the annuals Cosmos, strawflowers and any sunflowers would look good too. They have height. They also self seed readily. Keeping in mind green is a color too, all colors of the flowers will go nicely with what you choose. Q: I am a new gardener to Zone 9a, Northeast Florida (Coastal South). I live very close to the beach (1,300 ft). I just put in three gorgeous hostas: Hosta Fortunei 'Patriot'. Will they thrive here in the long run? They are surrounded by trees in a nice shady spot, with nicely amended soil. It rarely freezes here, especially because we are so close to the beach. A: In the long run I am afraid your hostas may not thrive, although they may survive. Hostas, like peonies, do need a period of coldness to really perform nicely. I am referring to the Book of Lists by Lois Trigg Chaplin and Monica Moran Brandies as my reference. The green selections are most vigorous, the yellows, then the blues and lastly the yellow-greens. Some selections that might work for you are: H. elata, H. Albo-marginata, H. Aureo-marginata, H. lanceolata, H undulata, H August moon, H 'Frances Williams', H. 'Ginko Tiara', H. " Gold standard' H. 'Halcyon Blue' H 'honeybells' H. royal Standard Sometimes you will not see the hosta full size 'til the 3rd year. However, you may have to consider the salt dirt or salt mist. A Tallahassee Nursery also recommends H. Wide Brim, H. 'Groundmaster', H. Sum and Substance and H. Patriot Shade in general is good for hostas however there are a few that will require a bit more light. Tons of organic materials in the soil.
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It's
a tough effort but hostas can be grown successfully in the Southeast. 
Q: I have an 8ft. Cedar fence in my back yard.
I've got Hosta plants with pine nuggets surrounding them but nothing else.
What would be attractive taller perennials to go up against the fence
similar to shrubs but with flowering affects and with some height along
the fence area? Should I use shrubs, trees (don't want anything that grows
taller than 6ft., or perennial flowering plants)?