Hostas remain one of the most popular, easy-to-grow perennials for the garden. They are loved for their beautiful foliage and wide variety of plant sizes. Collectors and new growers alike rely on catalogs and free educational resources to plan acquisitions, learn culture, and avoid costly mistakes. While some catalogs carry a nominal print fee, a network of societies, nurseries, and specialty growers provides free newsletters, searchable databases, popularity polls, pest guidance, and printable order forms that function as no-cost catalogs.
In The Country Garden & Gifts 2026 Hosta Catalog and Growing Guidance
In The Country Garden & Gifts publishes a 2026 Hosta Catalog that is positioned to serve both seasoned collectors and those new to growing hostas. The catalog messaging emphasizes carefree culture with a little extra TLC to help new plants off to a good start.
The growing guidance included with the catalog covers site selection, soil preparation, feeding and water.
- Select a site that gets bright light or even morning sun. Hostas like shade during the hot part of the day, but they won't thrive in the dark
- When preparing the planting site, add lots of organic matter like compost and/or well-rotted manure
- Hostas will survive in hard clay, but a loose, moist bed will let them grow to their full potential
- If you want to fertilize your hostas, apply a balanced, granular fertilizer in the spring before the leaves unfurl. Slow release types work well, too
- Hostas can withstand periodic dryness once established, but will grow much faster and larger if you keep them constantly moist (not soggy)
The nursery states a service orientation for catalog users. If you are looking for something not on our list, let us know.
Free Hosta Education and Resources from Northeast Hosta Society
The Northeast Hosta Society resources page aggregates free and member-supported tools that function as living catalogs and reference libraries.
American Hosta Society - The national society for hosta fans. Membership includes The Hosta Journal (two glossy magazines and one online publication each year); an annual convention that includes garden tours, a scientific forum and hosta leaf show; plus the web site and membership directory.
AHS eNewsletter - A free eNewsletter about all things Hosta, emailed to anyone who subscribes.
Hosta Finder - Online searchable database with details on hosta cultivars, including size, color, registry data, show classification data and sources. The site is also known as the Hosta Treasury and the Hosta Registrar.
Hosta Library - An excellent online catalog of Hosta images and registered cultivars. Plus more resources on the home page. A must visit.
Hosta Show - Everything you need to know about hosta leaf shows.
List of Hosta-compatible Trees, Shrubs and Vines - Mark Zilis ranks trees, shrubs and vines for compatibility with hostas in shade gardens, from his Field Guide to Hostas
Additional free educational materials are offered through the site.
- Good Roots Make Great Roots - Judy Artley's 2022 educational poster on hosta roots, mulching practices and voles
- NEHS Member Denise Pavlovich assembled some great information from reputable sources to help you learn more about growing hosta. Click here for your free copy
- To print the booklet: open in Adobe Acrobat and select "Booklet" and "Both Sides" in the Print dialog
Local Nurseries
The following NEHS members specialize in hosta.
Please visit the nursery's website or send email, for visiting hours.
- Cochato Nursery - Chuck Doughty & Sue DuBrava, 373 N
Free Pest and Disease Guidance That Supports Catalog Decisions
Hostas are one of the most popular, easy-to-grow perennials for the garden. They are loved for their beautiful foliage and wide variety of plant sizes. However there are a few pests and diseases that may visit your hosta collection. Here's some handy resources to help you learn more.
The resources listed as free learning aids include:
- Hosta Virus X - Identify and remove infected hosta
- Voles - Video: How to have a vole free garden
- Foliar Nematodes - Identify and manage this leaf damaging pest
- Holes in Leaves - Video: How to get rid of Slugs & Snails
- Keeping Deer from Hostas - How to keep deer away from your hosta
These same titles are repeated in the resources list to emphasize access.
Popularity Polls and Hostas of the Year as Free Catalog Substitutes
Free popularity data helps collectors decide which cultivars to request from nurseries when a printed catalog is not available. The Northeast Hosta Society resources page republishes American Hosta Society polls.
American Hosta Society 2024 Popularity Poll
Voted by members of the American Hosta Society
| Rank | Cultivar |
|---|---|
| 1 | H. 'June'* |
| 2 | H. 'Liberty' |
| 3 | H. 'Lakeside Paisley Print' |
| 4 | H. 'Guardian Angel' |
| 5 | H. 'Sum and Substance'* |
| 6 | H. 'Sagae'* |
| 7 | H. montana 'Aureomarginata' |
| 8 | H. 'Goodness Gracious' |
| 9 | H. 'Coast to Coast' |
| 10 | H. 'First Frost'* |
| 11 | H. 'Rainbow's End'* |
| 12 | H. 'Victory'* |
| 13 | H. 'Brother Stefan' |
| 14 | H. 'Key West' |
| 15 | H. 'Snake Eyes' |
| 16 | H. 'Bridal Falls' |
| 17 | H. 'Split Milk' |
| 18 | H. 'Fragrant Bouquet' |
| 19 | H. 'Forbidden Fruit' |
| 20 | H. 'Striptease' |
AHS Mini Hosta 2024 Popularity Poll
Voted by members of the American Hosta Society
| Rank | Cultivar |
|---|---|
| 1 | H. 'Blue Mouse Ears'* |
| 2 | H. 'Pandora's Box' |
| 3 | H. 'Mini Skirt' |
| 4 | H. 'Munchkin Fire' |
| 5 | H. 'Mighty Mouse' |
| 6 | H. 'Cameo' |
| 7 | H. 'School Mouse' |
| 8 | H. 'Little Treasure' |
| 9 | H. 'Frosted Mouse Ears' |
| 10 | H. 'Tiny Tears' |
*winners of the Benedict Garden Performance Medal
Hostas of the Year is a long-running free reference that functions like a historical catalog index.
| Year | Hosta of the Year |
|---|---|
| 2025 | H. 'Skywriter' |
| 2024 | H. 'Mini Skirt' |
| 2023 | H. 'Neptune' |
| 2022 | H. 'Island Breeze' |
| 2021 | H. 'Rainbow's End' |
| 2020 | H. 'Dancing Queen' |
| 2019 | H. 'Lakeside Paisley Print' |
| 2018 | H. 'World Cup' |
| 2017 | H. 'Brother Stefan' |
| 2016 | H. 'Curly Fries' |
| 2015 | H. 'Victory' |
| 2014 | H. 'Abiqua Drinking Gourd' |
| 2013 | H. 'Rainforest Sunrise' |
| 2012 | H. 'Liberty' |
| 2011 | H. 'Praying Hands' |
| 2010 | H. 'First Frost' |
| 2009 | H. 'Earth Angel' |
| 2008 | H. 'Blue Mouse Ears' |
| 2007 | H. 'Paradigm' |
| 2006 | H. 'Stained Glass' |
| 2005 | H. 'Striptease' |
| 2004 | H. 'Sum & Substance' |
| 2003 | H. 'Regal Splendor' |
| 2002 | H. 'Guacamole' |
| 2001 | H. 'June' |
| 2000 | H. 'Sagae' |
| 1999 | H. 'Paul's Glory' |
| 1998 | H. 'Fragrant Bouquet' |
| 1997 | H. 'Patriot' |
| 1996 | H. 'So Sweet' |
Roots & Rhizomes Catalog Access and No-Cost Order Forms
Roots & Rhizomes provides a formal catalog request process that clarifies when a print catalog is free versus paid.
Catalog Request
Requesting Catalogs
Our 2026 catalogs are in homes now. But don't worry, there are still ways to receive your catalog.
If you wish to receive a print copy of the 2026 catalog, click here to be directed to the online order form. The cost is $3.00 and you will receive a code to redeem $3.00 off on your first order.
If you have an order ready but still would like to receive a print version of the catalog, please give us a call at 1.800.374.5035 and we would be happy to include one with your order free of charge.
Roots & Rhizomes Order Forms
If you prefer to mail your order and need an order form, we have provided PDF files of the front and back of our order form for your convenience.
Order Form
The combination of a $3 print fee that is redeemable as a discount and a free inclusion with an active order creates a practical path to a no-cost printed catalog for buyers who are placing orders.
Conclusion
Free hosta catalogs in 2026 do not exist as a single universal print mailing, but the ecosystem of no-cost resources provides equivalent or superior catalog functionality. In The Country Garden & Gifts offers a 2026 Hosta Catalog with detailed culture advice and a direct request line for cultivars not listed. The Northeast Hosta Society resources page delivers a free eNewsletter, a searchable Hosta Finder database, an image-rich Hosta Library, hosta show guidance, a compatibility ranking of trees shrubs and vines, and free downloadable booklets and posters on roots, mulching, voles and other topics. Pest and disease pages for Hosta Virus X, voles, foliar nematodes, slugs and snails, and deer provide the diagnostic information that prevents wasted purchases. Popularity polls and the Hostas of the Year list from 2025 back to 1996 give a free, member-voted shortlist for catalog planning. Roots & Rhizomes makes its 2026 catalog available for $3.00 with a $3.00 off redemption code, and free with an order placed by calling 1.800.374.5035, while also offering free PDF order forms for mail-in purchasing. Together these options allow collectors to build a personal catalog without paying for information.