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Hosta 'Guacamole'
Guacamole Hosta
Genus native to Japan, China, Korea (cultivar of garden origin)
Overview
Hosta 'Guacamole' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial reaching 22-26 inches (56-66 cm) tall in foliage and 48-60 inches (1.2-1.5 m) wide at maturity. Leaves are heart-shaped to ovate, 9-11 inches (23-28 cm) long and 7-9 inches (18-23 cm) wide, with chartreuse-gold centers and dark green margins. Spring foliage emerges yellow-green in shaded sites and brightens to chartreuse-gold in dappled morning sun by early summer. Fragrant funnel-shaped white flowers 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) long open in late July through August on scapes 30-36 inches (75-90 cm) tall. Flower fragrance is strong and resembles honeysuckle, carrying 6-10 feet (2-3 m) on still evenings. Mature size requires 4-5 years from a 1-gallon (3.8 L) starter plant. The cultivar is a sport of Hosta 'Fragrant Bouquet', registered by Bob Solberg in 1994; American Hosta Growers Association named it Hosta of the Year for 2002. Slugs and snails feed on leaves in cool wet conditions; thinner leaf tissue shows more slug damage than thick blue-leaved hostas. All-green reverted shoots appear occasionally and are cut at the crown to limit takeover.
Native Range
The genus Hosta is native to Japan, China, and Korea, growing in moist forests, woodland edges, and stream banks. 'Guacamole' is a sport of Hosta 'Fragrant Bouquet', registered by Bob Solberg in 1994.Suggested Uses
Used in shaded borders, beneath deciduous trees, near patios and seating areas spaced 4-5 feet (1.2-1.5 m) apart for evening fragrance access. The chartreuse-gold foliage shows visible contrast against dark green hostas and ferns in mass plantings. Grown in containers of at least 10 gallons (38 L); flowers and fragrance are reduced in containers compared to ground plantings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'10" - 2'2"
Width/Spread4' - 5'
Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years
Bloom Information
Fragrant white funnel-shaped flowers open in late July through August on scapes 30-36 inches (75-90 cm) tall above the foliage. Individual flowers last 1 day; total bloom period extends 3-4 weeks. The flowers open in late afternoon and evening, releasing a strong honeysuckle-like fragrance.Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Chartreuse-gold center with dark green marginGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-4 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Water weekly during the first growing season with 3-4 gallons (11-15 L) per session in the absence of rain. Established clumps tolerate 2 weeks without rain but show wilting and crisp leaf margins during prolonged drought. Foliage holds chartreuse-gold color with 2-4 hours of morning sun in zones 4-6; deep shade fades center color toward green. In zones 7-9, afternoon sun above 85°F (29°C) scorches the gold centers. Slugs and snails feed on leaves in cool wet conditions; iron phosphate baits or copper barriers reduce damage. Voles tunnel and feed on crowns in winter under heavy mulch in zones 4-6; gravel-amended planting holes deter access. Hosta virus X (HVX) appears as puckered leaf surfaces and color streaks; affected plants should be discarded with surrounding soil to limit spread.Pruning
Cut foliage to 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) above the crown after the first hard frost or in early spring before new growth emerges. Remove flower scapes after bloom in late summer to direct energy to leaf growth. Damaged or yellowing leaves are removed mid-season as observed. All-green reverted shoots that emerge occasionally are cut at the crown to limit reversion. Division every 4-5 years in spring rejuvenates clumps when bloom decreases.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
fallearly spring
Maintenance Level
lowContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 10 gallons