Deer resistant: no
Moisture: moist soil
Size: 42” H x 72” W
Bloom: bell-shaped white flowers in August
Hardiness zone: 3
Hostas are shade-loving foliage plants that are, with Astilbes, the backbone of any shade garden. There are many varieties of Hosta, small and large, with yellow, green, blue, and variegated foliage. All Hostas have leaves, lance-like or round, large or small, attached to curved, celery-shaped stems that form clumps of overlapping foliage. When rain falls on these leaves, water is directed down the curved stem to the plant’s roots. Hostas send up bell-shaped flowers ranging from white to lavender, on stalks in mid- to late summer. While most Hostas thrive in shade, some will tolerate a good deal of sun, especially if kept moist.
Hostas are easy to divide and transplant in spring (despite what the “books” say) and will also self-seed, although you may get some interesting hybrids if you have several Hosta species around the garden. Deer love Hostas and will eat them to the ground unless precautions are taken. In wet seasons, slugs may also chew unsightly holes in the leaves. Do not let these pests deter you: Hostas are well worth having in your garden, and some are less tasty to deer than others. In our experience, thick-leaved and blue Hostas (which are often waxy) are slightly less delectable to deer than thin-leaf or green Hostas.
‘Sum and Substance’ is a magnificent giant yellow Hosta with enormous (more than 12” wide), thick, puckered, oval leaves. This cultivar tolerates some sun, which helps develop its golden coloration. If you plant only one giant Hosta, this is the one. Ours has matured to garganutan proportions, and is the centerpiece in a section of the part shade garden.