Sum and Substance Hosta

The Sum and Substance Hosta is a spectacular mound of large ribbed leaves, each one almost 2 feet long, forming a clump that will be 3 feet tall and 5 feet wide within 5 or 6 years. The leaves are golden yellow when grown in sun, turning more chartreuse-yellow to lime-green when growing in shader spots. In summer 4-foot stems of pale-lavender flowers rise up, adding to the display. Grow this plant as a magnificent shade specimen, by water or beneath trees, anywhere in your garden, including areas of full shade. It can also be grown in large pots and tubs.

• Magnificent leaf coloring from gold to chartreuse-green
• Spectacular vase-shaped clumps of large leaves
• Forms a plant 5 feet across within as many years
• Flower stems rise almost 4 feet into the air
• One of the most slug-resistant varieties of Hosta

Full sun brings out the yellow coloring of the ‘Sum and Substance’ Hosta, but it grows perfectly well in all levels of shade, and benefits from afternoon shade in all but the coolest zones. It is hardy even in zone 3, and grows into zone 8. Grow it in rich, moist, but well-drained soil, and mulch every year or two. It is very resistant to slug damage, and other pests and diseases have no significance. Incredibly easy to grow, even cleaning up the dead leaves is optional. Simply cut down the old flowering stems once they become unsightly.