Hosta Help...

Do you have a weed barrier down, underneath the bark chips? If so, check the holes that were cut to allow the plants to grow out through it. If they are cut too small, the plant is going to stay small to accomodate that.

Well is a great photo essay. I really don't know why your plants aren't growing the way they should. Are you maples weeping and makingthe soil acid. You might try do a soill test they are very cheap.

Blessings

You might try transplanting some of the large ones to that area.

Make sure it's getting enough water and make sure it isn't being choked by the mulch

Very few plants will grow well under a maple tree. Their dense branches allow almost no light to reach the ground and their fibrous root system is very efficient at taking up water and nutrients leaving little available for your hostas. I have seen maple trees in urban lawns that are so big and dense that literally nothing will grow under them.

If the shape of your maple tree will allow it, have an arborist thin out the branches so light will penetrate and prune off any branches that hang less than 10 or 12 feet above ground. This may have to be done over several years to avoid overstressing the tree and will have to be repeated every few years to keep the canopy open and prevent the tree from choking itself with fine branches.

If pruning the tree is not possible or too expensive, then you'll have to move your hostas to somewhere else or grow them in pots so they can be rotated out when they show signs of weakening in the excessive shade. I think hostas are hardy enough to overwinter in pots as long as they are insulated and not allowed to dry out.

Dig them up and move them. I do this all the time. The plant may go into shock for a bit... may even look bad until next year, but if it's not doing well in one spot....move it.

Just moved to Eau Claire, WI. Soil very sandy here. Former residence in Aitkin was ideal for hostas. They absolutely flourished in semi-shade in heavy clay soil. Would love to "split" and transplant them to EAU. Any special considerations we should make before doing this?

There's a guy down Xerxes Ave N that has georgous dark hosta on the west side of his house, in the front. In the late afternoon he frequently puts out umbrellas for his hosta. It actually looks very cool, yellow umbrellas as staggered heights.
I have wanted to take a picture of that, he's a genius with the space he has.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I do have hostas growing under other maple trees on the property though. They are everywhere. Under the birch tree, next to the pine tree, under a maple tree, next to the lilacs, in front of the hydrangeas but these tiny ones are the only ones that don't thrive. They don't die or look sick in any way, in fact they look quite healthy, they just haven't grown any bigger than they are.

I have no idea but it looks like you've gotten some good advice here.

Don't have any suggestions, but leaving you a 10 just the same. :)