'Sum and Substance' is a new and giant hosta that features deeply-veined, glossy golden rounded leaves with heavy puckering. With a possible height of 30" and a spread of 60", this Hosta of the Year in 2004 is the biggest hosta in the world and provides bright color in full shade. The size of the leaves averages an immense 20" by 15".

The lavender flowers bloom on tall 50" scapes from July to August. Also good in tubs and patio pots, this Hosta is slug resistant and a vigorous grower.

Hosta 'Sum and Substance' needs to be planted in a full-shade area in any moist, well-drained location and requires some sun to enhance its golden color. Moderate to fast growth rate. An excellent choice for beginner gardeners.

General info - Hostas:
Hosta (syn.: Funkia) is a genus of about 23-40 species of lily-like plants native to northeast Asia. They were once classified in the family Liliaceae but are now included in the family Agavaceae by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group. They are herbaceous perennial plants, growing from corms or rhizomes, with broad lanceolate or ovate leaves varying widely in size by species from 1-15 in (3-40 cm) long and 0.75-12 in (2-30 cm) broad. Variation among the numerous cultivars is even greater, with clumps ranging from less than 4 in (10 cm) across to more than 6.5 ft (2 m) across.

Leaf color in wild species is typically green, although some species (e.g., H. sieboldiana) are known for a glaucous waxy leaf coating that gives a blue appearance to the leaf. Natural mutations (sports) of native species are known with yellow-green ("gold") colored leaves or with leaf variegation (either white/cream or yellowish edges or centers). The flowers are produced on an erect panicle up to 31 in (80 cm) tall; the individual flowers are usually pendulous, 0.75-2 in (2-5 cm) long, with six tepals, white, lavender, or violet in color and usually scentless.

Hostas are widely-cultivated ground cover plants, particularly useful in the garden as shade-tolerant plants. Hybridization has produced over 5000 cultivars, those with golden- or white-variegated leaves are especially prized. They are generally easy and long-lived garden plants, relatively disease free, requiring little care other than watering and some fertilizer if you want to enhance growth.

Shade

Zones: 3-9