Hosta 'Sum and Substance'
Sum and Substance is the biggest thing in my garden and the first plant every visitor asks about. Give it real room, more than you think, because by year four it will take it anyway. It is sold as a gold hosta and more sun is supposed to push it that way, but I wouldn't call mine very gold: chartreuse, mostly, greener where it's shaded. Unlike most hostas it will genuinely take a good few hours of sun. Slugs leave the thick leaves alone.
Traits at a glance
| Mature size | Giant |
|---|---|
| Height | 30 in |
| Spread | 60 in |
| Leaf color | Gold |
| Variegation | None |
| Sun tolerance | Sun tolerant |
| Slug resistance | High |
| Deer resistance | Standard (hostas are deer candy; none are deer-proof) |
| Growth rate | Medium |
| Bloom | Pale lavender, Aug-Sep |
| Registered | 1980, P. Aden |
Where to buy 'Sum and Substance'
Availability shifts with the season, especially outside spring. These vendors carried it when I last checked.
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If 'Sum and Substance' isn't quite it
Similar varieties: Blue Angel, Curly Fries, Maui Buttercups. Or start the finder with your own filters.