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Hosta 'Stained Glass'
Stained Glass Hosta
Genus native to Japan, China, Korea (cultivar of garden origin)
Overview
Hosta 'Stained Glass' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial reaching 18-22 inches (45-56 cm) tall in foliage and 38-48 inches (95-120 cm) wide at maturity. Leaves are heart-shaped to ovate, 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) long and 6-7 inches (15-18 cm) wide, with bright gold centers, dark green margins, and deeply impressed parallel veins that give a quilted leaf surface. Spring foliage emerges chartreuse-gold and brightens to clear gold by midsummer in zones 5-7. Fragrant funnel-shaped lavender 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. Mature size requires 4-5 years from a 1-gallon (3.8 L) starter plant. The cultivar is a sport of Hosta 'Guacamole', registered by Hans Hansen of Walters Gardens in 1999; American Hosta Growers Association named it Hosta of the Year for 2006. Slugs and snails feed on leaves in cool wet conditions; thinner leaf tissue shows more damage than thick blue-leaved hostas. All-green or all-gold reverted shoots appear occasionally and are cut at the crown.
Native Range
The genus Hosta is native to Japan, China, and Korea, growing in moist forests, woodland edges, and stream banks. 'Stained Glass' is a sport of Hosta 'Guacamole', registered by Hans Hansen of Walters Gardens in 1999.Suggested Uses
Used in shaded borders, beneath deciduous trees, and near patios and seating areas spaced 38-48 inches (95-120 cm) apart for evening fragrance access. The gold variegation shows visible contrast against darker hostas, ferns, and shaded conifers in mass plantings. Grown in containers of at least 7 gallons (26 L); flowers and fragrance are reduced in containers compared to ground plantings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'6" - 1'10"
Width/Spread3'2" - 4'
Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years
Bloom Information
Fragrant lavender 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
Bright 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 2-3 gallons (7.5-11 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 gold center color with 2-4 hours of morning sun in zones 4-6; deep shade fades center color toward chartreuse-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 or all-gold 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: 7 gallons