Getting Funkia and Funkia

Hostas (synonym:  Funkia) are a very popular plant here in New England  This plant originated in China.  Traditionally these are a favorite food of slugs, snails, deer, and other wild animals.  There are several varieties; one of the most common is the "August Moon" variety. 

They can become extremely large -- to the point of being unruly -- completely blocking the walkway along which they are planted.

Although the best time to separate these plants is in the Fall, if your plant is way, way, way too large, you can do it in the Spring as soon as the earth thaws enough.

What you have to do is completely un-root the plant and place it on a drop cloth or a large piece of heavy mil plastic.  Being careful for your own safety, use an ax or a large sharp knife and literally cut the plant, roots and all in half, or in quarters or in eights if it has really become enormous.

Here is where you suddenly become very popular with your friends and neighbors.  You can either plant the other three or seven or the other (whether you split it up into two, four, or eight) in some other area of your property or give the separated sections away.

Each section will grow into a normal plant.  And, of course, years down the road, it will have increased in size and you'll have to separate them again.  But the beauty and hardiness of these plants is well worth it.