1 / 5

Hosta 'Sum and Substance'

sum and substance hosta

Asparagaceae

Garden hybrid; registered by Paul Aden 1980; genus native to Japan, Korea, and China

Attracts Pollinators Fragrant (light)Container Friendly

SunPart Shade – Full Sun

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 3–9

Overview

Hosta spp. 'Sum and Substance' is a giant mounding deciduous perennial reaching 30-36 inches (75-90 cm) tall and 48-72 inches (120-180 cm) wide, among the largest hostas in general cultivation. It carries broadly heart-shaped, glossy leaves 15-20 inches (38-50 cm) long in bright chartreuse to golden-yellow; the color runs deeper gold in brighter positions and holds chartreuse in partial shade. The leaf surface is lightly puckered with a thick, glossy finish rather than the matte, waxy coating common to most hostas, which makes the plant readable at garden distance. Pale lavender funnel-shaped, lightly fragrant flowers open on 40-inch (100 cm) scapes in July and August. The plant takes more direct sun than most hostas, up to 6 hours of morning light in most climates, and that extra light drives the gold deeper. Growth is moderate to fast, and it is hardy to zone 3. It needs room, since a single mature plant covers 25-40 square feet (2.3-3.7 sq m), and dry soils in sun cause leaf-edge scorch. All parts are toxic to cats and dogs if eaten.

Native Range

Hosta spp. 'Sum and Substance' is a garden hybrid registered by breeder Paul Aden in 1980 and grown widely as a large-leaved gold hosta. The genus Hosta spp. is native to East Asia, in the moist mountain forests of Japan, Korea, and China, and has been in Western gardens since the 19th century.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a single specimen in borders and woodland gardens, spaced 48-72 inches (120-180 cm) apart, since one mature plant covers 25-40 square feet (2.3-3.7 sq m). The chartreuse-gold color lightens shaded borders and contrasts with dark-green or blue neighbors. Its greater sun tolerance lets it reach into spots where blue hostas would bleach. It also grows in very large containers of at least 15 gallons (57 L). Dry soils and small gardens without room for the mature spread are poor fits.

How to Identify

A giant hosta with glossy, bright chartreuse-gold leaves up to 20 inches (50 cm) long. It differs from Hosta sieboldiana and its var. elegans spp. by the chartreuse-gold rather than blue-green color and the glossy rather than matte waxy surface, from 'June' by its far greater size and solid rather than variegated coloring, and from 'Guacamole' by its larger 48-72 inch (120-180 cm) spread and glossier leaves.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2'6" - 3'

Width/Spread4' - 6'

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Summer

Pale lavender funnel-shaped, lightly fragrant flowers open on 40-inch (100 cm) scapes in July and August for 3-4 weeks. The scent carries at close range, giving stronger flower-season value than most large-leaved hostas. The massive chartreuse-gold foliage stays the main feature. Bees visit the flowers.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Pale lavender, funnel-shaped, lightly fragrant, on 40-inch (100 cm) scapes

Foliage Description

Bright chartreuse to golden-yellow; glossy; lightly puckered; very thick; 15-20 inches (38-50 cm) long; deepens to gold in more sun

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Sun

Requires 3-6 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

4-5 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow in partial shade to nearly full sun in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil, hardy to zone 3 at minus 40 F (minus 40 C). The plant takes more sun than most hostas, 3 to 6 hours of direct morning light in most climates, and the added light deepens the gold. Even moisture matters more in sunny spots than shaded ones, since drought stress in sun scorches the leaf edges. The thick, glossy leaves resist slug damage better than thin-leaved hostas. A spring topdressing of balanced fertilizer or compost supports the fast growth and full leaf size. All parts are toxic to cats and dogs.

Pruning

Remove flower scapes after bloom to steer energy into leaf growth rather than seed. Cut the dead foliage back after the first hard frost or in early spring before new growth starts. No other pruning is needed.

Pruning Schedule

fallearly spring