Hosta ‘Liberty’ growing slowly: what could help it next year?

This looks like a normal but still fairly young hosta ‘Liberty’ that has not quite got going. The variety often grows more slowly than simpler green hostas, especially during its first one to three years, and the photograph shows no clear signs of serious disease. The small holes and minor edge damage fit slugs or other nibbling better than anything that explains the whole plant’s slow growth.

What will help most for next year

• Spread a couple of centimetres of compost or another humus-rich material around the plant in early spring without burying the shoots.
• Give a moderate feed in spring once the shoots have emerged. Too much late in the season produces only soft growth.
• Maintain even moisture next spring and early summer too, without letting the soil become wet and compacted.
• Start slug control early next season. Hand-pick in the evening, or use ferric phosphate if damage is a recurring problem.
• Leave the plant where it is if it suits the shade; ‘Liberty’ often needs time rather than moving to build up size.

This late in August in Hartungviken, Sweden, do not try to force more growth this year. Tidy lightly around it, remove badly damaged leaves if you want to improve its appearance, and save feeding for spring. If it is still small next summer despite spring feeding, organic matter and less slug damage, the next thing to consider is whether surrounding plants’ roots are crowding it.