Garden Tip 127:

Timely editing of hosta flowers can save a whole lot of work. Most gardeners select hosta varieties because of their foliage, choosing from a variety of shapes, sizes, textures and color. Hosta flowers are an added benefit, with some being quite showy and fragrant and all attracting bees and butterflies.

The trick to the summer maintenance of hosta flowers is in the timing–removing the flower stem (scape) just as the flowers begin to fade. Flowers left too long on the plant wilt and drop to the foliage below. When this happens, the old petals become stuck to the decorative leaves making their removal excruciatingly slow. Nip this problem in the bygone bud!