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In a shaded area of the sprawling backyard, they planted more than 300 hosta varieties.

Planted around the base of the vine maple, the bold foliage of a hosta or three creates a visual still point and offers contrast to the fine texture of Northern sea oats.

There’s a hosta for every garden, including dwarf forms that are perfect for container culture.

Hosta foliage often shifts to a buttery yellow as the plant dies back and goes dormant, leaving you space to generously plant snow crocus — like, lots! — for a colorful late-winter display before spring foliage emerges on these plants.

It might not have the speedy results Nyla wants, but if it could keep Mrs. Tronsted’s hosta plants from creeping into Mom’s berries, it should kill the huge-leafed plants and ground cover without contaminating Sagan’s water and soil.