Chuck Doughty of Cochato Nursery: Hosta Care, Growing Tips & Leading the American Hosta Society

This week on Hosta la Vista, we sit down with Chuck Doughty — owner of Cochato Nursery in Massachusetts and newly elected President of the American Hosta Society. Chuck is a 35-year veteran of the hosta world, a hybridizer, collector, grower, and one of the most passionate voices in the hosta community today. This conversation covers everything from how a single plant — Francis Williams — launched a lifelong obsession, to what it really takes to build a respected shade garden nursery from scratch on a small plot of land behind an 1820 farmhouse.Chuck shares the full Cochato story: how the nursery began as a native plant operation, evolved into one of New England's most beloved hosta destinations, and why their display gardens — planted with companion plants, dwarf conifers, sedges, and shade perennials — are the heart of everything they do.On the growing side, Chuck gets specific. He walks us through his exact hosta fertilizing routine — starting with 10-10-10 in early spring before growth begins, followed by Plant Tone once the soil warms up, and fish emulsion or Super Thrive for plants that need extra nursing. He explains why so many hostas underperform in home gardens (hint: people never feed them), and tackles the tricky problem of root competition from maple trees — and which plants like Pennsylvania sedge, Solomon's seal, and Christmas fern can fill those difficult dry spots where hostas struggle.Chuck also shares what he looks for when selecting new cultivars for the nursery: thick, corrugated leaves that hold up against rabbit damage, bold blues, and bright colors built for durability. He makes a strong case for hostas in containers — including ones he's kept thriving for 12 years without changing the soil — and shares his dead-simple overwintering method: just lay them on their side.As the new AHS President, Chuck talks candidly about his goals for the hosta community — getting hostas planted in public spaces and municipal parks, growing AHS membership, reaching younger gardeners through social media, and why supporting local independent nurseries matters more than ever in a world of big box store hosta selections that often disappoint.We also play Finish the Rhyme (Chuck nails both — Frog in My Throat and Elegant Fog), and he reveals in This or That that he'd rather explain why a hosta isn't patented yet than deal with irrigation paperwork any day.Chuck closes with something simple and true: hostas are the common denominator, but it's really about the people.Whether you grow hostas in a shade garden, collect rare cultivars, or are just starting to discover what these incredible shade perennials can do, this episode is full of practical hosta growing advice, nursery wisdom, and community heart.📧 [email protected]🌿 hostalavista.org📱 Follow on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Facebook & Instagram