hostas

[legless]

i'm going to follow the advice given and plant some hostas near the 'pond' on my allotment. i have a few nice ones at home, does anyone know when i can divide the offshoots off and plant them up?

[Palustris]

Best time is after the things have died down, but before say the middle of October to give time for the new roots to develop or early Spring before the plant starts to throw up the new leaves.

[legless]

thanks!

[Mimi]

Eric would you give the same advice for putting hostas into a bog garden.  Have some waiting to go into bog garden at top of new pond.  Just worried about the roots rotting if i put them in too soon. Also have some arum lillies (the tall white ones), astilbe candelabra primulas and a few other bits and pieces still in pots waiting to go in.

[Palustris]

I would say that it is still a bit soon for putting anything out into the garden. The soil is very cold and wet. Your plants are safer in their pots.  I would wait until late March myself, but with you being warmer than here, you might get away with early March. It will not do the plants any harm waiting in any case.

[Mimi]

Thanks very much.