Content
Hosta is a perennial plant; it can grow in one place for more than 15 years. The culture is represented by numerous hybrid forms with different sizes and colors of leaves. Hosta American Halo is a tall representative, one of the sought-after varieties among landscape designers and gardeners.
Spreading hosta displaces nearby herbaceous crops
Description of American Halo hosts
The hosta received the varietal name American Halo, which means halo (shine), due to the unusual color of its habit, which remains unchanged throughout the growing season. The Dutch hybrid was created specifically for ornamental gardening in cold climates. The frost resistance of the plant is within -35-40 0C.
The American Halo variety is often found in gardens in the Moscow region; the crop is grown in the European part, the Middle Zone, Siberia, the North Caucasus, and the Far East. Khosta is an integral element of the design of the resort area of the Black Sea coast. The heat-loving plant feels equally comfortable in subtropical and temperate continental climates.
American Halo grows quickly; in the second growing season, the structure and color of the leaves are fully revealed, for which the plant is valued. The hosta reaches the final growth point stated in the varietal characteristics in the third year after planting.
Characteristics of the hybrid American Halo:
- The shape of the hosta is dome-shaped, spreading, dense, height and width - 80 cm.
- Numerous leaves are formed from a basal rosette and are located on long thick petioles.
- The leaf blades are broadly ovate, with a sharp apex, thick with a rigid structure, smooth edges, length - 30-35 cm, diameter 25-28 cm.
- The surface is corrugated, the central part is painted light green with a pronounced blue tint, the frame is white or beige. Hosta American Halo is classified as a variegated variety.
- The root system is superficial, highly branched, fibrous, the root circle is about 50 cm.
- The flowering period is 25-28 days, occurring in June-July.
- Hosta forms 4-6 erect peduncles up to 1 m high.
- Racemose inflorescences are located in the upper part. They consist of drooping, bell-shaped, 6-slit, light purple flowers.
The color of the flowers depends on the lighting; in the shade they appear brighter
Variegated forms do not tolerate prolonged exposure to the sun. Light stripes along the edge of the leaf plate burn. American Halo is a shade-tolerant representative of the culture; its decorative effect depends entirely on lighting.
Application in landscape design
Decorative hosta American Halo is appropriate in any composition. It is planted near reservoirs, in the shade of large trees.The plant is universal in terms of design: it can be combined with almost all types of flowering and ornamental shrubs, ground cover, and dwarf forms of conifers. In combination with hosta, mixborders with tall and creeping flowering plants are created:
- irises;
- peonies;
- roses;
- tulips;
- astilbe;
- primrose;
- rhododendron.
Hosta is planted at the foot of thujas and blue spruces as a bedding plant. Mass planting of crop varieties with different leaf colors is often used. The proximity of any flowering herbaceous plant to American Halo is allowed if the crop does not shade it or displace it from the site.
Several application options:
- designation of the perimeter of flower beds;
- creating a mixborder with brightly colored seedlings;
- zonal division of the site;
- as a wildlife corner in the garden;
Hosta blends perfectly with natural stone
- for trimming tall bushes and trees;
The plant not only feels comfortable in the shade, but also decorates the root area
- to design a recreation area;
Irises, peonies and hostas complement each other favorably
- grown as a centerpiece;
- to fill empty space along the edges of the rose garden;
- create border compositions;
The culture is often used as a tapeworm in rock gardens and rock gardens. Included in group planting to decorate Japanese-style gardens.
Reproduction methods
American Halo is a hybrid variety that produces seeds in late summer. When propagated by a generative method, loss of decorative qualities is possible. It is better to purchase seedlings in a specialized store, and after three years of growth, propagate them with root rosettes.
There is no need to dig up the bush completely; use a knife to cut out an area with one rosette of leaves
Landing algorithm
Hostas are planted in the spring, when the green mass has formed to be separated from the mother bush. The area for American Halo is allocated in the shade or with periodic shading. The plant does not tolerate a waterlogged root ball; places in lowlands or close to groundwater are not suitable. The soil should be neutral, aerated, fertile.
If the material has been purchased, it is placed on an area with a lump of earth, the plot is immediately planted in the hole without additional measures.
Planting work:
- A recess under the hosta is made at the time of planting; an area of approximately 1 m2 is dug up for one plant.
- The depth and width of the hole are adjusted to the size of the seedling's root system.
Humus and a pinch of nitrophoska are placed at the bottom
- The hole is filled with water, a little soil is added and the hosta is planted in the liquid substance.
The distance between plants should be from 50 to 80 cm
- The soil around the seedling is compacted.
Growing rules
The agricultural technology of American Halo is the same as that of other varieties of crops. Care activities include:
- To prevent the soil from drying out and water stagnation, watering is oriented towards precipitation. Sprinkling is recommended, but during the flowering period it is better to avoid it.
- Mulching is mandatory for hostas; the root system is located close to the surface, so constant loosening can damage it; mulch will prevent the appearance of crusts and retain moisture for a long time.
- Weeding is carried out next to the hosta, and weeds do not grow under the crown.
- After flowering, the flower stalks are cut off so that they do not spoil the decorative appearance.
The hosta American Halo is fed in the spring with complex mineral fertilizers, and liquid organic matter is added to the roots 2 times a month.
Preparing for winter
The green mass in cold climates persists until frost, then dies, at which time it is completely removed. Without an aerial part, hosts can overwinter without shelter. American Halo is watered abundantly, the layer of mulch is increased, and nitrogen fertilizers are applied.
In warm climates, the leaves are not cut off, but sanitary cleaning is done in the spring. Hostas do not carry out additional measures to prepare for winter.
Diseases and pests
Culture hybrids are resistant to negative factors. The American Halo variety does not get sick if agricultural technology meets its biological requirements.
Root rot in wetlands is possible; in this case, the hosts must be moved to a dry area. The appearance of rust spots occurs at low air humidity and moisture deficiency. To eliminate the problem, the watering schedule is reviewed and additional sprinkling is carried out.
The main threat to American Halo are slugs. They are collected by hand, and Metaldehyde granules are scattered under the bush.
The drug is used immediately after pest stripes are detected on hosta leaves.
Conclusion
Hosta American Halo is a perennial hybrid of Dutch selection. The crop is grown for decorative purposes in gardens, urban areas, summer cottages or garden plots. The culture is unpretentious, highly frost-resistant, and grows in both cold and warm climates. Valued for its large size and bright gray-green leaves with a yellow border.
American Halo Host Reviews
