What really is the difference between Solomans seal and hostas?

Question

what are the different bloom times , how they bloom, way they look, etc?

Thanks for your answers!

Answer 1

They are 2 different plants totally.  Google each and look at pictures.

Answer 2

1.  Solomon's Seal - image first link - prefers shade to partial shade, will take sun in cool climates with moist soil.  Easy to grow, slow to become established.  When grown in good conditions, they have few problems.  flowers grow in pairs along the leaf axils.  Deer won't eat them!

2.  Hostas - image second link - also easy to grow, shade tolerant but do best with morning sun exposure and afternoon shade - depends on leaf color; many shapes, colors, sizes and textures, low maintenance, pest resistant.  Flowers bloom on spikes; slugs and snail love hosta but both these nuisance pests don't like sliming across coarse substances like broken egg shells and the like.  Deer love hosta.

So, I hope this gives you some sort of idea.  Good luck whichever you choose!

Answer 3

Hostas have been bred extensively, and come in a huge range of colours, and forms. They largely are plants with leaves originating from a central point, many of then with somewhat insignificant flowers. They are generally grown more for their foliage, ranging in colour from green, yellow to blues, some of then having a glaucous sheen. Many are variegated, with stripes and attractive markings. The very dwarf types have tiny leaves, growing to about twelve inches. The larger types grow to around 3 feet. http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stor...

Solomons seal - Polygonatum commutatum - forms rising stems, with leaves coming from these stems, rather than a basal crown with hostas. They typically have creamy coloured flowers, and green leaves, though variegation of leaves is possible.  The flowers are pendulous, hanging down from the alternate leaves, rather than Hosta flowers which are clustered from flower stems, separate to the leaves.  http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/wood...

Both of these plants are herbaceous, with parts that die down each winter. They will do well in moist conditions.  Flowering periods may overlap somewhat, being mid summer flowering plants.

Hope this helps. Good luck!    Rob

Answer 4

I grow both of them together, hummingbirds love them.  Hostas are typically lower and fit nicely in front of the arching stems of the Solomon's seal.  While there are countless hosta cultivars there isn't as much variety in the Solomon's seal, but the varigated ones are really pretty.

Solomons seal blooms early in the spring, before it even reaches its full height.  The flower clusters dangle from the underside of the stems, at the nodes of the leaves.  Hostas send up a flower scape in early to late summer.